A Sunderland managerial target has all but ruled himself out of a potential move to Wearside this summer.
Sunderland ended their miserable 2023/24 season with an equally miserable performance in the 2-0 defeat vs Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Danny Rohl completed his side’s great escape and did so in some style, completely out-playing and out-thinking the Black Cats.
The players and indeed Mike Dodds looked like they wanted the season to come to an end.
And now that it has, the hard work can really start behind the scenes with Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman under the spotlight.
They not only have to appoint the right manager for Sunderland but they also have to get a lot of things right in the transfer market.
But it’s the managerial hire that seems key.
Will Still is now on the market after leaving Reims at the start of May, following almost six months of being linked with a move to the Stadium of Light.
Rohl has also been linked as well, though his comments after the match against Sunderland may suggest that he’s staying in the Steel City.
Danny Rohl comments on Sheffield Wednesday future after Sunderland
After securing Championship safety, Rohl was quizzed on his future at Sheffield Wednesday.
He told BBC: “I think I said this before in some interviews. What is important that we have a direction. I think I have idea how this direction could be like. But just to have a idea it’s of course not enough… We know this club has a high potential when you see what it means for the people in the city.”
Rohl’s comments then seem to suggest that he’s ready to stay on board at Sheffield Wednesday, providing he gets the necessary backing this summer; something which has seemed the case all along.
Rohl ends his first half-season in management with a record of 16 wins from 38 games, and of course, Championship survival with the Owls.
Sunderland must move on but pay caution to Will Still
Sunderland have already been tipped to appoint Still this summer, following his sudden Reims exit.
But the Black Cats might want to think carefully about potentially hiring the 31-year-old following the manner of his Reims exit.
That, and the fact that Still remains very young and inexperienced, with no experience of the Championship either.
Rohl has proved that you don’t necessarily need experience to succeed in the Championship, though Rohl came from a much more elite background than Still has done.
One thing is certain though and that’s that Sunderland’s managerial search will ramp up now that the season is over.
But the club’s form going into the summer certainly doesn’t bode well for the next manager, with the Black Cats winning just two of their last 15.
Hiring a top manager or at least their top target this summer may now be slightly more difficult.