Phil Smith has been speaking on The Roar Podcast about Sunderland’s current managerial situation.
Sunderland were embarrassed in League One last weekend, losing 6-0 away to Bolton Wanderers, which was the final nail in the coffin for Lee Johnson as he was sacked on Sunday, leaving the club with no manager heading into the final day of the transfer window.
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As it stands, the Black Cats are still without a manager as they head into their next league clash against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, and it could be that the club wait until after that match to move for a new head coach.
After suggesting it was unknown who would lead the team at the weekend, Smith delivered this latest information on Sunderland’s managerial situation.
He said: “My understanding of the situation was my expectation was that Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor would support the first-team coaching staff that were in place still, which of course is Phil Jevons and David Priest – the first-team coach and the goalkeeping coach.
“So my expectation was that as a pair, they would help out with training this week. And so I would expect them to be involved if it gets to the case where there isn’t a new manager in place by Saturday.
“But I have to say, I would be surprised and quite disappointed if there wasn’t a head coach in on Saturday.”
TIF Thoughts on Sunderland’s managerial situation and search…
The decision to keep first-team and goalkeeping coaches in place for Saturday could be a sensible decision as it buys the club more time to get the right man in to bring promotion to Wearside. The match is one that Sunderland should be winning against Doncaster Rovers, who are bottom of the league.
Neil Lennon appears to be someone who could be a name in the frame given that the former Bolton Wanderers and Celtic manager is said to be interested in the job, but given his poor record during his one and only stint in English football, when he won just 16 out of 72 league games, it could be too risky of an appointment.
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