Sunderland have now been managerless since Sunday, which is an all too familiar sight to Black Cat fans of late. However, it is widely speculated that Sam Allardyce is going to be announced in the coming days, an appointment that the majority of Sunderland fans will be extremely happy about.
Sunderland legend and current Derby coach Super Kevin Phillips has had his say on the managerial situation at Sunderland.
I’m not saying Sunderland doesn’t have its problems, but blimey, what a wonderful job to take on – I think it’s one of the best in football. And I’m not just saying that because of my connection with the club.
You only have to look at the size of its support, look at the Stadium of Light and the training facilities, which are world class and look at the potential of the club if you could really get it buzzing again. For me, it has to be seen as a golden opportunity, I don’t agree with the view that it’s some sort of poisoned chalice.
Kevin Phillips won the European Golden Boot during his time on Wearside and is still the only Englishman to do so. The former striker would be welcomed back on Wearside as a coach with open arms, and may do so if former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson gets the job.
I wouldn’t have a problem if Nigel Pearson got the job, having worked with him at Leicester City. He’s got a really strong personality and his man-management skills when Leicester City were in trouble last season were second to none. It was an amazing achievement to keep Leicester in the top flight when all seemed lost.
But then I wouldn’t have a problem with Big Sam getting the job either because he’s got such a proven track record over the years of turning clubs around and keeping them in the Premier League. One thing that is for sure is that there will be no shortage of good managers to look at.There’s some interesting candidates out there and for all the talk about Sunderland’s problems right now, the club will have the pick of them. Plenty of people would jump at the chance of managing Sunderland and the club has to make sure it chooses the best candidate for the long-term as we as the short-term.
The Sunderland faithful will not only be hoping for a manager that will keep The Black Cats in the Premier League, but also a stable manager that Sunderland can hold on to for some time.
