Meanwhile, Sunderland have been without a manager for over four months since sacking Michael Beale in February. They appeared close to appointing Will Still as his replacement, but he opted for the RC Lens job instead.
Subsequently, Sunderland seemed to be nearing an agreement with Liam Rosenior, only for Rosenior to withdraw from consideration as he set his sights on the Burnley job instead.
Liam Rosenior to Burnley latest
Rosenior was dismissed by Hull City at the end of last season, despite guiding the Tigers to a 7th place finish in the Championship.
He has been linked with clubs like Plymouth Argyle, Sunderland, and Burnley, although reports now suggest Burnley is leaning towards hiring former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who last managed PSV until May 2023.
This situation would leave Rosenior without a club. However, the former full-back is clearly eager to return to management, particularly in the Championship.
For Sunderland, it would be prudent to avoid considering Rosenior for a return if he misses out on the Burnley job.
Sunderland must avoid Michael Beale repeat with Liam Rosenior
There’s a lot about Rosenior that may set him apart from Beale; his likable and warm demeanor for one, and his Championship experience for another.
Beale’s main downfall as Sunderland manager was that fans didn’t warm to him, neither as a person nor as a coach. Some of his comments in the media only widened the gap between him and the supporters.
After Rosenior backed out of the Sunderland job to pursue what seemed like a bigger and better opportunity, the possibility of him returning to Sunderland contention after missing out on the Burnley job could create a Beale-like divide between Black Cats fans and the manager.
Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman are surely growing desperate in their search for a manager, and bringing Rosenior back into the mix doesn’t seem entirely unlikely.
However, should this happen, Sunderland fans may lose any remaining respect and trust they have in the club officials.
There would also likely be a bitter sentiment towards Rosenior, setting him off on the wrong foot before he even begins.
Sunderland can avoid a Beale-like situation by steering clear of a potential return for Rosenior, especially if he misses out on the Burnley job.
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