Cook has all the right ingredients

FORMER Wigan chairman David Sharpe says Paul Cook would be the perfect candidate for the Sunderland job.

Sharpe, grandson of former Latics owner Dave Whelan, took over the club in 2015 and appointed Cook to the role he’s now in with the Championship club.

Whelan has since sold the club and Sharpe has moved on, but knows Cook well.

He’s one of the leading candidates for the vacant Sunderland role after Jack Ross was sacked on Tuesday.

Sharpe told the Chronicle: “I’m a Wigan fan, and putting my Wigan hat on, I would hate to see him leave Wigan. I appointed him, I’m a fan of the club, and so I want us to have Paul in charge.

“But if I was in Stewart Donald’s seat right now at Sunderland, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was top of the list.

“He’s got three promotions on his CV from League One or League Two, he’s done it various clubs, not just Wigan. He’s had success at Chesterfield and Portsmouth as well.

“He’s dealt with a club like Chesterfield where he maybe didn’t have so much money, and he dealt at Wigan with having more money.

“That means different types of players; different egos and different characters in the dressing room.

“I think his record stacks up against anyone’s. I’ve seen many others linked with it, but I’d imagine Paul would be a great fit for it.

“He’s from a working-class background so I think the fans would be really on his level too.

“He also got the best out of Will Grigg, and if the new manager can come in and get Will firing, that could be the difference between promotion. It was for us.

“If I was Wigan I’d be fearful that Sunderland would pick up the phone.

“I don’t want him not to be at Wigan, but it would definitely make sense if Sunderland did make a move for him.”

Right now chairman Stewart Donald is seeking to speak to a number of potential candidates.

And according to Sky Sports, the Black Cats have asked for permission to speak to five managers currently at clubs, with one being Wycombe’s Gareth Ainsworth.

The other four aren’t named, but there’s a good chance Cook could be one the club are hopeful of speaking to.