McClaren and Poyet leading the way for the Black Cats vacancy.
Sunderland’s search for a new manager seems to have been narrowed to two, as Gus Poyet and Steve McClaren emerge as the favourites for the vacancy at the Stadium of Light, reports the Guardian.
Stuart Pearce’s odds to take over were slashed from 50-1 to just 2-1 to by bookmakers Paddy Power on Saturday, but Poyet and McClaren are still said to be winning the race.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur ace has been out of a job since leaving Brighton and Hove Albion earlier in 2013, whilst McClaren has great experience with Middlesbrough, England and as an assistant at Manchester United and is currently Harry Redknapp’s No.2 at QPR.
Another ex-United coach, Rene Meulensteen, is also in the running after a bizarre 16-day period in charge at Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche and current Black Cats caretaker Kevin Ball make up the shortlist that owner Ellis Short has to choose from.
The north-east outfit do not want to rush into an appointment as they did with predecessor Paolo Di Canio, but of course want the new regime to be established as soon as possible.
Di Canio was in charge of just 12 matches whilst at the Stadium of Light, before being sacked this term following four losses from five matches in the Premier League and some very public fallings out with key players.
It’s said that the same influential stars at the club are keen for a British manager to be appointed after the fiasco of the Italian, meaning McClaren could well be the No.1 choice should Short choose to listen.
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