Sunderland are still on the lookout for their next manager after sacking Beale back in February.

He lasted just 12 games in charge and since, interim boss Mike Dodds has overseen 12 games, taking just two wins compared to Beale’s four.

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and co seem to be biding their time right now, though a new name is now reportedly om their managerial radar.

Sunderland linked with Rene Maric during manager hunt

Former Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund assistant Rene Maric has now been linked with the Sunderland job.

It’s claimed that the Black Cats have ‘made contact’ with 31-year-old Maric, who is currently in charge of Bayern Munich’s U19s side.

He now joins names like fellow German Danny Rohl at Sheffield Wednesday, Paul Heckingbottom and Will Still in the Sunderland managerial race.

Jermain Defoe comments on Sunderland job once again

Another name who’s trying to put his hat in the ring is former Black Cats striker Jermain Defoe.

The current Spurs youth coach previously stated his desire to one day take the Stadium of Light job, and he’s now revealed that he’s held informal talks with the club regarding the managerial position.

He told Sunderland Echo:

“I’ve had no interview or anything like that. And like I said before when we spoke, I spoke about obviously the people that want to come with me and even in the background, certain players that I know that I can attract, young top players in the country that I can attract to try and get the club back into the Premier League.

“I’ve had those sorts of discussions. So nothing’s changed really, but I’ve not had an interview.”

Defoe concluded:

“I’ve not had an interview or anything, but I think they’re aware that, obviously, I’d be interested in taking a job. Why not?”

James Copley clarifies Jermain Defoe’s Sunderland talks

Journalist James Copley has reiterated that Defoe’s Sunderland talks are purely informal.

Copley adds that, whilst the 41-year-old Defoe is obviously keen on managing Sunderland now or one day in the future, he’s not someone who’s under serous consideration right now.

Jermain Defoe needs to do one thing right now

Defoe was obviously a top player and he could go on to become a top coach.

He’s clearly making his way in coaching and doing the relevant badges and whatnot, and returning to Sunderland may make sense one day in the future.

But right now, he desperately lacks experience, and so Defoe just needs to bide his time.

He needs to make his way further up at a club, like at Spurs right now or another team, then maybe, like Dodds has done for example, wait until the opportunity comes up to be an interim boss and then go from there.

That’s how a lot of managers get their break these days.

For Sunderland though, they need an experienced helmsman to take them into next season and get the club back on track.

Defoe would be a huge gamble right now and if Sunderland appoint another poor manager, following this calamitous season, then fans would really lose faith in the hierarchy.

Sunderland end their season with a home game vs Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.

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