Mike Dodds, the interim manager of Sunderland, has talked about the club’s current hunt for a manager.
Dodds took over as Sunderland’s manager in the summer after Michael Beale was fired last month.
Dodds, who also appears to have a chance of earning the permanent position, succeeds Beale as the third person to lead the Black Cats this season.
Although it was previously stated that Dodds might be given consideration at Sunderland, his record of four victories and one tie in his five games as manager indicates that he won’t be hired long-term.
After seven games without a victory, Sunderland is still in 12th place in the Championship standings with 13 points separating them from the top six and just nine between the Black Cats and the bottom three.
What has Mike Dodds said about Sunderland manager search
Dodds has now shared details about the club’s current hunt for a manager.
The 37-year-old detailed his discussions with owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman in an interview with Sunderland Echo.
Prior to the previous few games, I had a conversation with them wherein they informed me that they had made a shortlist of possible candidates and would take their time reaching out to them. They don’t want to rush that decision and instead want to make sure they get the next appointment right.
“If they feel like they’ve got the right candidate tomorrow, then they will be in the day after tomorrow obviously. If they don’t, then they will wait. That was the message I was given a few weeks back and I’ve not been told that anything has changed. If anything changes then they will communicate that with me. We’ve got some big games coming up because we need to change the feeling of the football club, and we know that the best way to do that is to win games of football.”
Who is on Sunderland manager shortlist
After the Sunderland club fired Beale, many supporters favored Reims manager Will Still.
Although a transfer didn’t happen, he was linked to Sunderland, who reportedly saw Still as their ideal summer addition to take Dodds’ place.
Other names have also been floated: reports suggest that Steve Cooper and the Sunderland administration admire each other, and that Marek Papszun, a Polish coach, is eager to join the team.
In other news, Paul Heckingbottom was fired by Sheffield United earlier this season, and the Black Cats have being asked to give him another look.
Sunderland have to get next appointment right
Like Dodds reveals in his above comments, the Sunderland hierarchy absolutely must get this next appointment right.
Fans’ faith in the hierarchy and in the ‘model’ is at a turning point now after this season’s downfall.
But the board have done themself a favour by putting Dodds in charge and giving themselves ample time to scour the market and look for their next manager.
And Dodds’ comments about the club already having a shortlist is promising, though who is on that shortlist remains to be seen.
Expect Still’s name to keep on coming up in headlines, though expect more names to be plucked out of Europe and linked with the vacancy on Wearside too.
For now though, Dodds will be focused on ensuring Sunderland are definitely a Championship side for next season.
