While Will Still remains a subject of speculation following his sudden departure from Reims in early May, there hasn’t been much recent discussion about the 31-year-old coach.

Other names have surfaced in the conversation, with Paul Heckingbottom’s name resurfacing once again. Meanwhile, candidates like Rene Maric and Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl seem to be more distant possibilities.

A recent addition to the list of potential candidates is Bo Svensson, the former Mainz boss who is currently without a club. Svensson was recently linked with the Red Bull Salzburg job, adding another layer of intrigue to Sunderland’s managerial search.

Red Bull Salzburg hire new manager

With former Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber at the helm from July 2023 until April 2024, Red Bull Salzburg recently placed an interim manager in charge. Svensson, who was heavily linked with the role, seemed poised to become the club’s next head coach. However, Salzburg has now appointed Pepijn Lijnders, formerly Jurgen Klopp’s assistant at Liverpool, as their new boss. This move could potentially pave the way for Svensson to join Sunderland this summer, unless any other prominent European teams pursue the Danish coach.

Who is the front-runner to become next Sunderland manager

At present, there appears to be a mix of strong and not-so-strong candidates vying for the Sunderland managerial position. Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has expressed a preference for a younger and fresher managerial approach this summer, signaling a departure from traditional choices despite the club’s past success under Tony Mowbray.

Consequently, candidates like Heckingbottom might be considered outside contenders. However, there seems to be a frontrunner in the form of a long-standing target of Sunderland’s who is now a free agent. Additionally, Svensson emerges as a dark horse for the role. While he may have initially had his sights set on the Salzburg job, his recent miss might redirect his focus elsewhere. Sunderland could find Svensson appealing due to his slightly more seasoned experience compared to other contenders like Still, coupled with his free-agent status.

Regardless of who ultimately takes the helm, Louis-Dreyfus and Sunderland are under pressure to expedite the appointment process, as fans are becoming increasingly restless amidst the wait for a new manager.

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