Sunderland fans have had the pleasure of seeing some incredible players gracing the turf at the Stadium of Light through the years, but what happens to them after they hang up their boots?
It’s not always a positive story for even the best Sunderland players once they decide to head into the realm of football coaching.
Plenty of Sunderland legends have tried their hand at the other side of the game once they retire from playing, but few have succeeded.
Now, one of the most iconic Black Cats stars of the modern era is looking for work once more, after losing his job in the National League.
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Kevin Phillips leaves AFC Fylde with immediate effect
It’s safe to say Kevin Phillips’ managerial career has been underwhelming. It was only back in October that we were left surprised to see Phillips take on the job at AFC Fylde, but his tenure at the National League strugglers has come to an end already.
The club released a statement on social media confirming Phillips would be leaving the club with ‘immediate effect’ after it was ‘mutually agreed’ that the best thing to do would be to part ways.
AFC Fylde are wallowing in 22nd place in the National League table, and just lost 2-1 to Boston United, who are one place and now six points behind them, with two games in hand.
That defeat was clearly the final nail in the coffin for the former Sunderland man, who will now be looking for another role in the game.
It’s quite the fall from grace for Phillips who, after a handful of decent spells as an assistant manager at Leicester City, Derby County, and Stoke, has failed to make anything of himself as a manager at South Shields, Hartlepool, and now Fylde.
Will Kevin Phillips ever return to Sunderland?
It would seem Phillips is not really cut out for being the manager, but there’s no reason why he can’t still forge out a great career as a coach or assistant, and the Sunderland coaching staff could surely benefit from his presence.
Especially since the departure of Mike Dodds, Sunderland have space in the backroom team for an experienced and influential figure.
With everything Phillips achieved at Sunderland as a player, he would surely have the respect and admiration of the current crop of players.
The squad loved Dodds, and they arguably need another coach like that to look up to, someone who can provide the perfect foil for Regis Le Bris’ more methodical approach.