Sunderland remain without a manager, and their latest hopes could yet be dashed by a former Newcastle United boss.
Sunderland fans are growing increasingly frustrated at the lack of movement on the manager front, and increasingly fearful about what the summer and the 2024/25 season might have in store.
The Black Cats finished the 2023/24 season poorly. Interim boss Mike Dodds claimed just two wins from 13 games in charge, with the Black Cats claiming just five league wins in 2024.
Sunderland eventually finished the season in 16th place of the table following a 2-0 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season.
In the end, only six points separated Sunderland and the bottom three. Owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus knows that next season will have to be much better, but so far, this post-season has been a struggle for Sunderland.
The Black Cats are yet to land long-term target Will Still who has interest from RC Lens. A new name is on Sunderland’s radar in Pascal Jansen, but he too has interest from Europe.
Panathinaikos fancy Sunderland manager target Pascal Jansen
Jansen, 51, is said to be under serious consideration for the vacant manager’s job at the Stadium of Light
Reports coming out of Greece though say that he’s also fancied by Panathinaikos, who’d be able to offer Jansen Europa League football next season.
The Greek giants wanted Maurizio Sarri but reports claim that he’s turned down their approach, with Rafa Benitez also on their list of potential targets.
After missing out on Sarri, it looks like Panathinaikos has turned their attentions towards Benitez and Jansen, with Benitez the one who was first linked.
If he also turns down the job, that could see Panathinaikos really push the boat out for Jansen, who’ll then have a potentially difficult decision to make on his future.
Would Pascal Jansen choose Sunderland over Panathinaikos
It’d certainly be a difficult decision for the Dutchman; moving to England would really bring his name into the spotlight, especially so if he does well, but moving to Greece with Panathinaikos could put his name on the European stage, with Europa League football to compete in next season.
It may all depend on the circumstances. Sunderland seems like a very difficult job for a lot of coaches given the restrictions in resources and the difficulty in working with arguably too many young players.
But Jansen previously revealed that this was largely the case at his former club AZ, so the Sunderland job could be an ideal fit for him.
It may really lie in the hands of Benitez who’s currently out-of-work. Like Jansen, he too appears to have the chance to take charge of Panathinaikos this summer and compete in Europe again next season.
If he rejects, like Sarri, that could spell trouble for Sunderland where a move for Jansen is concerned, with the Black Cats really biding their time with this next managerial appointment.