Klinsmann rules out the Stadium of Light
JURGEN Klinsmann has dismissed talk that he is to join Sunderland.
The German coach has been heavily linked with the vacant role at the Stadium of Light, as a consortium from his home country look to seal a takeover of the Black Cats.
Reports had suggested that should Ellis Short reach an agreement to sell to the German club, then former USA head coach Klinsmann or Union Berlin boss Jens Keller would be options as replacements for David Moyes, who resigned last month after relegation from the Premier League.
Posting a brief statement on his Facebook page though, the former Tottenham striker dismissed the rumours.
He said: “No truth on rumours coaching Sunderland FC (sic) in the near future.”
The 52-year-old has been out of management since November when he was sacked by USA. Klinsmann is the latest coach to rule himself out of the running after a series of disappointments so far this summer.
Takeover talks have disrupted the manager’s search, with Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes turning the Black Cats down after club officials were unable to offer him any guarantees.
Meanwhile, bookies’ favourite Simon Grayson has distanced himself from the role, Nigel Pearson has ruled it out and Garry Monk chose Teesside rivals Middlesbrough.
As Sunderland’s frustrations go on, the players are preparing to return for pre-season training on Thursday. Robbie Stockdale will take charge of the training until a management team is found, with the squad scheduled to fly to Austria for a week of warm-weather fitness training at the end of this week.