Frankly, Black Cats are being left behind
DE BOER TAKES PALACE ROLE AS SUNDERLAND STILL LOOK FOR BOSS
CRYSTAL Palace appointed Frank de Boer as their new manager – leaving Sunderland as one of just two Football League club in England without a manager.
Of the 92 league sides, only the Black Cats and Oxford United are without a man at the helm.
Oxford, though, were left without a boss just six days ago when Michael Appleton left to become Leicester City’s assistant manager.
However, unlike at the Stadium of Light it would seem, Oxford have been inundated with more than 50 applicants for the job and are reportedly in talks with Chelsea legend Frank Lampard.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are still stuck in limbo despite the fact that David Moyes resigned 35 days ago.
The club are in talks over a potential takeover, meaning convincing a manager on the move has proven nigh on impossible. Derek McInnes, Chris Wilder, Nigel Pearson and now Jurgen Klinsmann have turned it down, while Garry Monk chose to move to Middlesbrough instead.
It means for a second season running, Sunderland will be trailing behind their rivals in preparations for the new season. Of course, we all know how that worked out last season.
The Black Cats weren’t the only Championship side in need of a new boss this season either.
Norwich, Wolves, Leeds, Hull and Boro all changed their managers this summer.
However, unlike Sunderland they were fast and proficient.
That’s not a guarantee of success, of course.
Sunderland wasted little time in replacing Sam Allardyce with David Moyes last summer, but that proved unsuccessful.
There’s no doubting Sunderland need to get this decision right and a little time to do so was a reasonable expectation.
But the longer they continue to drag their heels the harder it gets.
Robbie Stockdale will have to take training for until a management team is found. It’s not an ideal start.
There’s takeover talks to conclude first, but the Black Cats can’t afford to wait much longer.
The season kicks off in just 39 days time!