There’s rumours circulating that suggest a rival team are interested in a member of the coaching staff at Sunderland.
Sunderland are in a very good place right now; sitting 1st in the Championship table and with a new lease of life following the summer appointment of Regis Le Bris.
Le Bris has rejuvenated Sunderland after their dire season last time round, implementing a new and exciting style of play.
He’s also helped make the likes of Chris Rigg into a valuable starting player. Meanwhile, the likes of Jobe Bellingham and Romaine Mundle go from strength to strength under the Frenchman’s watch.
And earlier this month, Sunderland appointed a new first-team coach in Pedro Ribeiro, adding to Le Bris’ backroom team for the first time since the former Lorient boss arrived at the Stadium of Light.
Everything is moving in the right direction at the minute and the Sunderland owners will be keen for it to stay that way.
But there’s rumoured interest in Sunderland U21s boss Graeme Murty.
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Rumoured Hartlepool United interest in Graeme Murty
On Wednesday, Sunderland’s north-east neighbours Hartlepool United, who play in the National League, sacked manager Darren Sarll after just 15 games in charge.
There’s now unofficial rumours spreading on social media that Hartlepool have taken an immediate interest in Murty at Sunderland.
Murty is working well with the Black Cats’ U21s, having helped to produce some top players since his arrival in 2022, including the likes of Rigg and Tommy Watson.
Responding to the ‘whispers’ surrounding Murty and Hartlepool United, journalist James Copley gave his thoughts.
He played down the idea of Murty heading to Hartlepool, highlighting controversial Pools chairman Raj Singh as a decisive factor.
Copley posted on X: “Have heard a few whispers about Hartlepool United’s interest in Sunderland under-21 boss Graeme Murty.
“Not sure why anyone would want that job at the moment under Raj Singh. Cant see it happening personally.”
What’s going on at Hartlepool United right now
Hartlepool United enjoyed a couple of seasons in the Football League between 2021 and 2023, before suffering relegation to the National League.
They finished 12th last season but currently sit in 16th after the opening 13 games of this season.
And in 2024 alone, the club has had three managers in place, one being Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips.
Hartlepool United sacked Phillips last month, with Singh clearly unhappy with the progress; Phillips and Sarll oversaw just 31 games between them.
Singh was previously chairman at Darlington, placing the club into administration in 2012. He later saved Hartlepool United from the same fate during the 2017/18 season but has since proved controversial.