Coleman is now front runner in search for a manager
CHRIS Coleman has emerged as the new favourite to be Sunderland manager after Michael O’Neill let it be known he did not want the job.
By dragging the search for Simon Grayson’s replacement into a third week, the Black Cats had opened up the possibility of O’Neill taking the job, but the former Newcastle striker has reportedly decided against taking it on advice from friends within the football fraternity.
Sunderland had not offered the job to anyone but, with other offers on the table and concerns about the budget which would be available to him, O’Neill pulled out of the running.
Yesterday saw a flurry of bets transform Wales manager Coleman transformed from a rank outsider to the bookmakers’ favourite.
O’Neill and Coleman both led their countries to Euro 2016 – Wales reached the semi-finals – and came close to following it up with a World Cup campaign.
Wales missed out on a play-off in the final round of group games, Northern Ireland did make that stage but lost out in a play-off with Switzerland - where the only goal of the game came from a highly-debatable penalty.
Neither have resigned from their current jobs but Coleman’s contract is up at the end of the season and while he has made it clear he would like to stay it will only be on his terms. He spoke this week about wanting to manage in the Champions League.
The Irish Football Association are reportedly readying a new deal for O’Neill - but Scotland stole a march on his many suitors on Wednesday by making an official approach.
They are thought to be offering to double O’Neill’s wages.
He lives in Edinburgh and his coaching staff are also based in Scotland. O’Neill is understood to prefer a move into club management - but not with the Black Cats.
David Moyes resigned as Sunderland manager in May concerned he could not achieve his goals on the budget he would have to work with, while Aberdeen’s Derek McInnes turned down the position in the summer.
That made the Black Cats very careful not to approach others about speaking to their managers this month for fear of a repeat.
Barnsley’s Paul Heckingbottom is another under consideration but in public at least he has sent out mixed messages about whether he wants the job or if he shares O’Neill’s reservations.
Ally McCoist has gone public with his interest.
Ellis Short tried unsuccessfully to sell the club in the summer and Grayson had only £1.25m to spend in transfer fees despite raising £32m.
Chief executive Martin Bain dodged the question when asked last month if the manager would have money to spend in January.
Moyes has continued to talk down the Black Cats since being appointed West Ham United’s new manager a fortnight ago and his predecessor Sam Allardyce spoke this week about the “rot” setting in at the Stadium of Light.
A host of other figures within football and the media have spoken about the Wearsiders being a “poisoned chalice” or “basketcase,” although Harry Redknapp and Phil Neville spoke positively when pitching for the job.
Former manager Mick McCarthy also said he would go back “in a heartbeat” were he not already employed at Ipswich Town.
The naysayers seem to have held more sway with O’Neill, but if former Fulham and Coventry City boss Coleman could be persuaded to join it would represent something of a coup for the Wearsiders.