A manager could arrive soon as hunt continues

SUNDERLAND could have a new manager in place by the end of the week despite the ongoing takeover talks, the Chronicle understands.

Owner Ellis Short is in talks with two prospective buyers, one a group of investors from Germany – which is thought to be leading the race – and the other a consortium led by Sunderland fans Leo Pearlman and brothers Ben and Gabe Turner, who are partners in the TV company Fulwell 73 Productions and backed by money from the US.

The uncertainty surrounding the ownership deterred Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes from leaving Pittodrie to join the Black Cats last week and Sunderland issued a statement on Friday suggesting the search for a new manager would be put on ice until the takeover situation had been resolved.

However, the takeover discussions have progressed this week and the Chronicle understands the search for a new manager has also continued, to the extent the club could even make an appointment as early as this week.

With McInnes now out of the running, Preston North End manager Simon Grayson is the new bookmakers’ favourite with former Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson also in the running.

The situation remains fluid and it is always possible Sunderland’s plans will change again and the appointment will be delayed.

However, the Wearsiders have been managerless for more than four weeks and are acutely aware the longer this continues the harder the task will be for whoever does eventually take over.

Sunderland are keen to have a manager in place before the players return to pre-season training a week today, so that the process of revamping the squad can begin.

The vacancy has meant the Black Cats have been unable to make any headway in the transfer market and they must make up for lost time with the squad having been depleted by the release of a number of out-ofcontract players and also the £30m sale of Jordan Pickford.

A number of players are also likely to be offloaded and will therefore have to be replaced.

Meanwhile John O’Shea and Seb Larsson have been offered new deals but are waiting to find out if they will be part of the new manager’s plans before committing to the club.