Today marks four months since Sunderland sacked head coach Michael Beale, and they still seem no closer to announcing his replacement.
The decision was made following an underwhelming 12-game run, which was ultimately the shortest managerial spell at the club. Mike Dodds was tasked with the role of taking control of the team in the interim whilst the club’s hierarchy decided who was going to be given the job of taking the side forward.
However, that process has gone on much longer than almost anyone would have predicted. The rumour mill has been in full swing, with numerous names linked but an announcement is yet to be made, nor does one seem imminent.
Will Still reportedly turned the club down. Liam Rosenior the same. Pascal Jansen was reported to be a target but he chose Hungarian champions Ferencvaros instead.
Speaking exclusive to The Real EFL, Alan Hutton told us his thoughts on the situation…
“For them not to have a manager in place is quite incredible. Normally, you’d have sat down with your sporting director, or head of recruitment and nailed down who you want and already organised your pre-season. Its all over the place.”
Hutton made over 100 appearances in England’s second tier, with most of those coming for Aston Villa, although did appear for Sunderland on a loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2010, where he played 11 Premier League games.
“This is a big football club,” the 39-year-old added. “You would expect this not to be happening… it just doesn’t seem right. They need to get it sorted ASAP.”
With the players likely to return for pre-season training very soon, a decision surely needs to be made soon. The transfer window is open and the longer the club remain without a man in charge, the longer the club may go without making signings. A deadline must soon be set, and met.
The Black Cats will be hoping that whoever they do bring in can improve on their underwhelming finish of 16th.
Hutton spoke to us courtesy of Best Online Poker Sites.
Writer’s Guide
This whole situation at Sunderland seems like a parody of itself. Any fan can understand wanting to take time to make the right decision, but that decision has now taken far too long.
Managers have seemingly turned the club down left right and centre this summer, however, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be options out there, so at some point the hierarchy may need to settle for someone not at the top of their shortlist.
