Strengths and weaknesses of candidates for Sunderland AFC manager

PHIL PARKINSON

Pros: The short-priced favourite with most bookmakers, it is Parkinson’s extensive experience in the Football League that makes him such an attractive option. The 51-year-old has presided over more than 700 matches since moving into management in 2003, and boasts three promotions on his CV. He led Colchester to the Championship in 2006, took Bradford out of League One in 2013 and also guided Bolton back to the second tier in 2017. His spell at Bradford saw him lead the Bantams to the League Cup final, and he is currently out of work after leaving Bolton amid a financial meltdown at the end of last season.

Cons: While he has served his time in the lower leagues, Parkinson’s biggest job to date ended in failure when his Charlton side were relegated to the third tier for the first time in almost 30 years. He remained in charge of the Addicks the following season, when they were in a similar position to the one Sunderland currently find themselves in, but suffered a semi-final defeat in the play-offs. Is Parkinson a big enough name to energise a fanbase that grew increasingly disillusioned under Jack Ross? Some supporters might regard him as a relatively underwhelming choice.

NIGEL PEARSON

Pros: Having enjoyed a successful playing career that featured a four-year stint in the North-East with Middlesbrough, Pearson can also boast some notable high-level successes as a manager. He kept Southampton in the Championship after inheriting a difficult situation, won the League One title in his first season with Leicester, and claimed the Championship crown in his second spell with the Foxes, paving the way for Claudio Ranieri’s title triumph. He is regarded as something of a tough disciplinarian – perhaps what this current Sunderland squad need – and has been linked with a possible ‘double act’ featuring Black Cats legend Kevin Phillips.

Cons: With a reputation for being a somewhat volatile figure, Pearson has had run-ins with players, club owners and journalists during his managerial career. Given the pressures Sunderland are operating under, might he add to the powder-keg atmosphere? Pearson’s last job in English football ended explosively, amid suggestions of a clash with Derby owner Mel Morris, and he was also sacked from his last role in charge of Belgian club Oud-Heverlee Leuven. His footballing style has tended to be fairly functional, which might not appeal to some fans.

GARETH AINSWORTH

Pros: In his seven years as Wycombe Wanderers boss, Ainsworth has done remarkably well given that he is leading a club with one of the smallest budgets in the whole of the Football League, let alone League One. He guided the Chairboys to promotion in 2018, a year after they lost in the play-off final at Wembley. With his long hair and previous spells in a rock band, the 46-year-old is the kind of larger-than-life character that could really flourish at Sunderland. However, there is also substance to the style, with Wycombe currently sitting second in the League One table, four points ahead of the Black Cats.

Cons: While Wycombe gave Sunderland permission to speak to Ainsworth, they would demand a hefty sum in compensation if the former midfielder was to move to Wearside. Given that Wycombe are due to host Sunderland at Adams Park this weekend, it is safe to assume any negotiations this week would be extremely difficult. While it is hard to argue with the extent of his achievements with the Chairboys, it took Ainsworth a fair few seasons to build his current squad. Would he be able to elicit the kind of immediate reaction that Sunderland need?

DANIEL STENDEL

Pros: If you are looking for recent experience of guiding a team out of League One, Stendel is your man. The 45-year-old German was appointed Barnsley manager in the summer of 2018, having previously spent a season in charge of Hannover 96, and within nine months, he had led the Tykes to the Championship. Barnsley finished in second position last season, outperforming Sunderland despite having a playing budget that was significantly smaller than the one made available to Jack Ross. Barnsley played attractive, front-foot football as they won promotion, something that will appeal to Sunderland’s owners.

Cons: Stendel’s managerial CV effectively stretches to just one season, so there has to be a chance last year’s efforts were a flash in the pan. There are mitigating factors behind Barnsley’s struggles this season, with the board having failed to invest, but the harsh reality is that Stendel resigned at the start of this month after a run of ten games without a win. Might that have affected his confidence? And do Sunderland need someone with a more in-depth knowledge of the players they will be working with? Given their position in the table, the Black Cats would need Stendel to hit the ground running.

PAUL COOK

Pros: After a start to his managerial career that featured fairly unremarkable spells at Accrington Stanley, Chesterfield and Portsmouth, Cook has carved out a reputation as an upwardly-mobile boss during his time at Wigan. He led the Latics to the League One title in the 2017-18 season, and kept the club in the Championship last season despite budgetary constraints. He worked with Max Power and Will Grigg at the DW Stadium, so might be able to get the best out of two players who have not really hit the heights since joining Sunderland. His current backroom team features Peter Reid, someone with deep and popular links on Wearside.

Cons: Wigan would not allow Cook to leave without a fight, and if the 52-year-old wants to take his current backroom team with him, the compensation figure might well stretch beyond what Sunderland are able to pay. Cook’s teams tend to play fairly one-dimensional long-ball football, often in a 4-2-3-1 formation that Ross struggled to master. While that has worked in Lancashire, would his preferred style suit the current Sunderland squad?