One former Sunderland star has been thrown into the deep end at one EFL club just four weeks after joining.
The Black Cats have had several former legends go into management following their time on Wearside as a player.
One name that springs to mind is Niall Quinn, who spent a short period of time in the dugout at the Stadium of Light. His idea of succeeding his playing career with coaching is also a route that fellow Sunderland legend Lee Cattermole has undergone.
Just days ago, Cattermole was appointed as part of the backroom staff at League One side Bristol Rovers, joining up with Matt Taylor’s side, only for the Rovers boss to be relieved of his duties.
Following the bold call from the Bristol Rovers hierarchy, Cattermole has now found himself in a position of power that he certainly wouldn’t have expected just days ago.
Sunderland legend Lee Cattermole lands interim role at Bristol Rovers
With news of Taylor’s departure from Bristol Rovers confirmed, it has been announced, via a club statement, that Cattermole will ‘take interim responsibility for first-team football duties’ alongside fellow coach David Horseman.
The club have also stated that a ‘thorough recruitment process for a new first-team manager’ will be undergone in the coming days, suggesting that the former Sunderland midfielder could find himself in the hot-seat for a run of games with the League One side.
Cattermole’s coaching career has seen him take charge of the Middlesbrough U18s for 31 matches between the start of 2022 until February 2023, whilst also serving as Boro’s interim assistant manager for 20 days in October 2022.
- READ MORE: Micah Richards name drops Sunderland for ‘very good’ Amad Diallo performance for Man United
Lee Cattermole is inheriting tricky Bristol Rovers situation
To suggest that Cattermole has been thrown into the deep end would turn out to be quite the understatement considering the fact that Bristol Rovers have lost their previous three games, and are looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone, sitting just two points above Crawley Town in 21st position.
The former Sunderland man could also find it difficult to adjust to the situation, having only joined the club days ago, and his lack of familiarity with the current ranks at Bristol Rovers may also not bode too well for him.
Players going into management can often be very hit or miss, but there is no doubt that Cattermole’s footballing mind will help him transition into a top level coach, it will just be difficult for the Sunderland legend to ride the wave of a tricky situation in south west England having only managed at youth level up until this stage in his career.