Phillips: I’d love coaching role at Sunderland
Kevin Phillips says that he would welcome the opportunity to be part of the new backroom staff at Sunderland.
Phillips has thrown his hat into the ring to take charge at the Stadium of Light, but the Black Cats hierarchy are set on appointing a manager with League One experience in a bid to secure promotion come May.
Nevertheless, Phillips, who has extensive coaching experience with Leicester City, Derby County and Stoke City, says he remains interested in a role on Wearside.
He told talkSPORT: “Any player who is a coach or who wants to be a manager and has been a legend at the club somewhere, you have to try and get them involved.
“They know the identity of the club, they know the supporters, what it takes to live in the area.
“Of course, (if ) I got offered the chance to be manager or play a part as assistant or coach, I’d certainly look at it.”
Phillips – who scored 134 goals in 239 appearances for Sunderland, and who netted 287 over his entire 20-year career – has been linked with a return as part of a potential partnership with Nigel Pearson, who he worked with at Leicester.
Pearson, though, is not thought to be interested in the vacancy at this stage.
Phillips also said that he expected an announcement on the new manager to be made soon.
Talks are ongoing, Sunderland are nearing a decision and hope to have an appointment made in time for the challenging trip to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.
Gareth Ainsworth, manager at Adams Park, remains in contention for the vacancy.
He is also a target for Millwall, who are searching for a replacement for club legend Neil Harris.
Ainsworth is on a threeman shortlist for the Lions job with current caretaker Adam Barrett and Gary Rowett.
The overwhelming favourite with the bookmakers for the Sunderland job is Phil Parkinson, a contender due to his two promotions from League One with Colchester United and Bolton Wanderers.
He also led Bradford City to League Two promotion and a League One play-off semi final, as well as getting to the League Cup Final while in the fourth tier.
Parkinson has been out of work since leaving his post at Bolton in August.