Sunderland go up against West Brom this weekend in their first game since sacking Tony Mowbray.
It’s been a hectic week in the Sunderland rumour mill, and it’s no doubt been a chaotic one behind the scenes at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have been linked with a number of potential new bosses but the Black Cats are set to face West Brom with Mike Dodds in the dugout.
The 37-year-old was put in temporary charge in 2022 after Lee Johnson’s sacking and now finds himself in the hotseat once more.
And ahead of this weekend’s game, Dodds appears to have put his hat in the ring.
As quoted by Keith Downie, Dodds said in this weekend’s pre-match presser that he wants to prove his worth after a tough interim spell last year, potentially suggesting that he wants to be considered for the job.
“Those results were not a fair reflection of my ability,” said Dodds. “I definitely want to make up for it.”
Who is Mike Dodds?
Dodds, 37, obtained his UEFA B License at just 18 years old.
He joined the Birmingham City scene in 2009 and in 2020 became academy manager, playing a part in the progression of Jude Bellingham.
He left Blues for Sunderland in 2021, joining as the Head of Individual Player Development, working closely with Johnson, Alex Neil, and then Mowbray.
Does he have a chance of landing Sunderland job?
It doesn’t seem like Dodds stands much of a chance of landing the Sunderland job.
But he has it for the time being, and with Sunderland likely to take their time in appointing their next boss, it gives Dodds a chance to show the Sunderland hierarchy and everyone else what he can do as a manager.
From tomorrow, the Black Cats have three games in seven days with a visit from Leeds United on Tuesday followed by a trip to Bristol City the following weekend.
Dodds looks set to oversee the next two and they’re two extremely difficult games, so good results in these two would do wonders for his reputation.
Sunderland look set to hire someone from abroad rather than from England, or from within as would be the case with Dodds.
But clubs are increasingly looking to coaches like Dodds who have the credentials and experience of working with younger players, and giving them their first chance as manager.
A good temporary stint with Sunderland could put him in the shop window for clubs in England.