Sunderland are considering Sol Bamba as their new manager.
That’s according to TEAMtalk, who have reported that the 38-year-old is one of a few names on their shortlist.
Sunderland are on the hunt for a new head coach after they sacked Tony Mowbray on Tuesday night.
The 60-year-old had managed only two wins in the last nine games, with Sunderland dropping down to ninth in the Championship.
While many thought Mowbray would be given a little longer, the Black Cats weren’t hanging around and dismissed him days after the draw with Millwall.
The Wearside outfit have since been linked with a host of names, with the likes of Will Still and Julien Sable currently among the favourites.
The report also claims that Sunderland are interested in Kieran McKenna, who has guided Ipswich Town from League One to one point from top spot in the second tier.
However, it seems very unlikely that McKenna would want to drop everything at Portman Road to move up north.
One other name that has now been briefly mentioned is Sol Bamba.
The former Ivory Coast spent a total of eight years in England during his playing career and most recently played for Middlesbrough during the 2021-22 season.
Bamba was released after making 25 appearances for Boro, before moving into coaching with Cardiff City.
The former centre-back was appointed assistant manager to Sabri Lamouchi in January before the pair left the club at the end of the season, with Cardiff avoiding relegation by five points.
Bamba has been out of work since leaving Wales in the summer, and is one surprise name that could replace Mowbray.
Should Sunderland be looking at Sol Bamba?
Sol Bamba was a very solid Championship player, but to consider him as the man to take us to the next level is crazy.
The Ivorian’s only experience in coaching is a matter of months with Cardiff, though there were reports claiming he was close to taking Sabri Lamouchi’s job in the summer.
While Bamba and Lamouchi did successfully steer the club to safety, it is a completely different ask to what Sunderland are demanding.
To be linked with exciting, young managers such as Will Still and Julien Sable, then to end up with Sol Bamba who has next to no experience, would be a huge downgrade.
There has been very little mention of the 38-year-old though, so I can’t imagine the club are thinking too much into him.