10 potential replacements for Michael Beale after he was sacked by Sunderland earlier this week.
Beale’s short reign as Sunderland manager came to an end on Monday. After an inconsistent run of form combined with controversy in the Birmingham defeat, the Englishman was relieved of his duties.
His time in the dugout was far from successful. Since his appointment in December, Beale only managed 12 games. In this time, he only collected four wins, while also overseeing six defeats.
This has left the club 10th in the Championship, seven points off the playoffs at the time of writing.
As a result, Mike Dodds has been placed in charge of the first team on an interim basis until the end of the season.
In preparation for the summer, we have highlighted 10 candidates who could be in the dugout on a permanent basis at the start of the 2024/25 season.
Paul Heckingbottom
A potential outsider for the job, Heckingbottom did a fantastic job overseeing Sheffield United’s promotion to the Premier League last season. While this season didn’t go to plan in terms of results, not many managers would be able to keep the side up in their current state.
With Sunderland aiming for the top flight, bringing in a manager who has recent experience in gaining promotions to the Premier League might be a good idea.
Kim Hellberg
Kim Hellberg was linked to the Sunderland vacancy in December before the club brought Beale into the club. At the time he managed Swedish side IFK Varnamo but has since switched clubs to Hammarby IF in December.
With Sunderland waiting until the summer for a new appointment, Hellberg may be tempted to seek greener pastures in England. However, his time at his new club has not been successful.
Steve Cooper
The former Nottingham Forest boss would certainly be a coup for Sunderland if they could tempt the manager into the club. The Welshman had become a bit of a Championship expert in his time in the second tier.
In his two years at Swansea, he guided the club to the playoffs twice, losing in both the semi-finals and the final. Then, at Forest, he oversaw a playoff-winning campaign despite taking over the side when they were bottom of the Championship.
Cooper would then guide the club to Premier League safety before losing his job halfway through the current season.
Mike Dodds
There is every chance Dodds could end up with the full-time position at Sunderland come the end of the season. While this may look uninspiring, Dodds knows the club and this set of players.
If Sunderland were to put a consistent run of form together, they could still reach the playoffs this campaign. A successful end to the season might tempt the board into handing Dodds the job permanently, especially if this leads to promotion to the Premier League.
Roy Keane
A man that many fans want to see return to the club, Sunderland may be tempted to bring the manager back to the club this summer.
Keane oversaw a Championship title and promotion to the Premier League in his first season at the club back in 2007 before leaving in 2008. Bar a brief spell at Ipswich he has not been back in management since.
Keane was linked with the Sunderland post back in 2022. However, an opportunity may soon open again for the Irishman to return to the Black Cats.
Sam Allardyce
Another former manager who saw success at the Black Cats. Allardyce guided Sunderland to Premier League survival in the 2015/16 season before he departed to become England manager. Since then, he has been at multiple clubs and most recently, Leeds United.
Allardyce could well be a good appointment at Sunderland if they can convince him to join the Championship outfit. The manager has overseen multiple promotions in his time in the dugout, including two in the Premier League.
Marek Papszun
The Polish-born manager is a new man who has been linked to the job over the week. Papszun has mainly managed in his home country, with his last club being Raków Częstochowa.
The manager has overseen many impressive feats in Poland and is reportedly keen on the job. However, it remains to be seen if Sunderland will follow this interest up in the summer.
Scott Parker
Another manager who has overseen plenty of promotions. Parker has taken both Fulham and Bournemouth from the Championship into the Premier League in recent years.
While his last job at Belgium side Club Brugge didn’t set the world alight, he certainly knows how to do a job in the English second tier. This may tempt the board into giving Parker a go at trying to hit a hat-trick of promotions at Sunderland.
Will Still
One of the big favourites for the job, Still was linked back in December when Beale got the nod. The Reims manager has now been linked again with the Englishman giving a hint recently about the possibility of joining the Black Cats.
Still would certainly be a statement with the manager receiving plenty of praise for his work in France.
Jesse Marsch
Our final potential manager is Marsch. The American has been out of work since departing Leeds last season.
Marsch has a good CV to his name after managing multiple clubs in the Red Bull franchise. With the American looking to manage in the Premier League one again, Sunderland could tempt him in.