Managers linked with Cats job – what they have said
to work, he suggested that a club without the off-field uncertainty of Bolton would appeal to him.
“It was an honour to manage a historic club like Bolton,” hesaidinaninterviewwiththe Times.
“But it would be nice to go somewhere and just concentrate on preparing a team for Saturdayafternoonwithoutall the other complications.”
He may, therefore, wish for some clarity on Sunderland’s ongoing investment talks during his discussions with the club’s hierarchy.
Anotherfront-runnerwith the bookmakers, Ainsworth has made no secret of his desiretomanageatahigherlevel.
“I want a club that has ambitions to play in the Championship, to be as high as they possiblycan,”hesaid,speaking to the Totally Football League Show. “I’m open to everything. “Wycombehavethispotential. I’m really hoping that the fansunderstandthat,unfortunately,moneyisneededinfootball and to progress, especially to the next level. It’s going to take some serious investment.
“We have people willing to put their money in. The fans loveowningtheirowncluband I understand that as well.
“But the ambition for me is to get into that Championship one way or the other.”
The former midfielder, though,
Speaking to the Times, Ainsworth said: “It would take somethingextraspecialforme to go, because of what I’ve built here, what I have here.” with the former Portsmouth and Chesterfield manager well-versed in League One.
And with the Latics struggling for form in the second tier this term, a move may wel prove appealing.
Cook, though, has already shot down rumours of his departure this term.
Speaking about the prospect of him leaving after a defeat to QPR earlier this term, Cook told Wigan Today: “That is the last thing I want.
“That is the last thing I’d like to think to think the players want!
“It is certainly not something that anyone at this football club is thinking about.”
Sunderland legend Peter Reid, who works alongside Cook at Wigan, also believes the manager is content with life in the North West.
“I know he’s happy with Wigan,” he said.
“Well he was this morning [Thursday],Ihaven’tspokento him since.”
It’s no surprise to see Stendel linked with Sunderland given his achievements with Barnsley last season, and his availability after leaving Oakwell.
But the German is notoriously coy on managerial links, having refused to comment on speculation that he was bound for Middlesbrough this summer.