Sunderland have endured another difficult week in the search for a new manager.
Sunderland began the week particularly warily, with Sunday bringing the news that the club were no longer interested in former AZ Alkmaar coach Pascal Jansen.
Supporters had warmed to the idea of appointing the Dutchman, before they were brought back to the square one as they waited for further updates.
There has since been a handful of names thrown around, but they don’t seem to be much closer to appointing a new head coach.
This comes a week after Kyril Louis-Dreyfus claiming a new manager would arrive ‘imminently’, while fans have been waiting well over 100 days for an announcement.
As another disappointing week comes to close, here is all the latest information in the manager search.
Liam Rosenior pulls out of the running
Liam Rosenior was the first name to surface after Pascal Jansen’s was withdrawn, suggesting that he had become their first choice target.
Reports claimed that the 39-year-old had held talks with KLD last week and was scheduled for another round of discussions in the coming days, with this likely to be the imminent appoint that the owner had referred to.
However, it wasn’t long before Rosenior’s name emerged in Burnley’s search for a new manager.
The Clarets had Rosenior, Scott Parker and Frank Lampard on the shortlist, with the trio all set for talks at Turf Moor this week.
Unsurprisingly, the former Hull coach then withdrew from the negotiations with Sunderland.
It is unclear whether he will express interest once again if he fails to land the Burnley job, however it is believed that Sunderland have now moved onto other ‘unnamed candidates’.
Marti Cifuentes will cost six-figures
Marti Cifuentes is another manager that has come onto Sunderland’s radar over the past week, having guided QPR from six points adrift to 16th place in the Championship.
Many Sunderland fans were eager to bring the Spaniard to Wearside, however recent reports regarding his compensation are likely to have put the club off.
It is believed that the Black Cats would have to cough up six figures to convince QPR to part ways with their head coach.
Sunderland have mainly been targeting free agent coaches this summer, while they haven’t appointed an employed manager since they lured Jack Ross in from St Mirren six years ago.
Will Still saga finally comes to an end
Sunderland had been linked with Will Still since sacking Tony Mowbray in December.
They had held discussions with the 31-year-old, while their chances of appointing him seemed to dramatically increase when he left Reims.
While they appeared to be closing in on a new manager, things very quickly changed when Lens came into the picture.
It was then reported that Still would turn down Sunderland and it has now been confirmed this week that he has returned to France with Lens.
The CEO of Lens, Pierre Dreossi, has since spoken out about his arrival.
After Still signed a three-year contract, Dreossi said: “Will was our top priority to take up the position of coach and start the new cycle that is opening at the club.
“Will is not only a promising coach who has broken records for precociousness, he is a unifying personality obsessed with winning.
“A true enthusiast, conqueror and fine tactician, Will Still left his mark on the Stade de Reims, where he obtained convincing results, notably a historic series of 19 matches without defeat.”