Sunderland’s pursuit of a new manager has now taken another surprise turn, with one target ‘no longer in the running’.
Sunderland have gone over 100 days without a manager following Michael Beale’s sacking in February.
Fans had become frustrated as opportunities to appoint the likes of Will Still, Bo Svensson and Danny Rohl passed, before Kyril Louis-Dreyfus was forced to make a statement.
The Black Cats owner claimed that an appointment was ‘imminent’ as the club entered the final stages of the process, with Pascal Jansen seeming like the one name that appeared closest to the job.
The 51-year-old had been out of work since leaving AZ Alkmaar earlier this year and was thought to be a hot favourite to take over at the Stadium of Light.
Pascal Jansen ‘no longer in the running’ for Sunderland job
With an appointment surely expected next week, the club’s pursuit has now been plunged into further doubt after it was reported that Jansen is no longer in contention.
Sunderland Echo journalist James Copley wrote on X: “Former AZ Alkmaar boss Pascal Jansen is no longer in the running to become the club’s next head coach. Believe Sunderland are pushing on with other names on their shortlist.”
Sunderland had previously been credited with showing interest in Stockport County manager Dave Challinor and St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson, while Liam Rosenior is also still available.
There was a lot of anger when it was reported that Jansen was on the final three-man shortlist with Challinor and Robinson, given his quality and pedigree in comparison.
Where do Sunderland turn now?
His withdrawal leaves Sunderland with very few options and a lot of concern.
It’s unclear why the London-born coach is no longer in the running, but he did seem to be the only candidate that supporters were particularly bothered about at this stage.
With KLD claiming an arrival was ‘imminent’, it makes you wonder whether something has happened since or whether the club had always had their eyes on another target.
At this point, Rosenior feels like the only acceptable arrival. Though that still won’t fill fans with joy given the quality of some of the other managers they had the opportunity to bring in over the last few months.
KLD’s statement had settled the nerves, but this report just seems to go against his claims and leaves fans full of uncertainty once again.