McInnes should not say no to Sunderland
But now Alex Rae reckons the Dons boss is ready to step up with Sunderland.
McInnes is wanted by the Black Cats to replace Davie Moyes after a stellar spell at Pittodrie.
The Dons boss has stayed silent on reports linking him to the Stadium of Light.
But now the dust has settled on last weekend’s Scottish Cup Final, former Sunderland star Rae reckons McInnes would be mad to blank the North East giants.
He said: “There is no doubt that Del is ready for another crack at managing in England. And, for me, Sunderland are a team you don’t knock back if they come looking for you.
“Make no mistake, they are a massive football club.
“They’ve got 40-odd thousand coming through the gates for every home game – and that’s during a relegation season.
“Del has done fantastic work at Aberdeen, coming in and building over a period of three or four years.
“He has transformed the team into one that is consistently Celtic’s nearest challengers and he has also put them on a real solid footing for the future.
“He’s done that through hard work and it would be no surprise to me if that has been recognised by Sunderland.
“If the offer comes, it’s one he should jump at.”
While an undoubted opportunity for McInnes, Rae reckons Sunderland also have plenty to gain by moving for the Dons boss.
After burning through six managers in five years, the relegated Black Cats desperately need stability.
That is a quality Rae, whose five years on Wearside included promotion in 1999, believes McInnes can bring.
“There is a real need for whoever comes in next at Sunderland to be given time and space to build,” said Rae. “They need somebody who is capable of doing that.
“I think the work Derek has done at Pittodrie proves he fits the profile.
“Yes, there are problems with debt at the club. I think the figure is somewhere around £130-million at present.
“But you’re talking about a club that will receive £99-million for finishing bottom of the Premier League this season.
“Then there’s potentially a similar figure coming in from the parachute payment if they don’t get promoted back in the next three years.
“With the kind of budget he would have, I think Derek will be more than capable of doing a job there – especially if given time.”
Former Rangers chief executive Martin Bain, now in the same role at Sunderland, is leading the recruitment drive.
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs is in the frame with McInnes, while former Leeds United boss Garry Monk has also been tipped for the job.
But Rae, who has experience of coaching in the Championship with Blackpool, and alongside Alex McLeish at Belgian side KRC Genk, reckons the Rangers connection between Bain and McInnes could seal the deal.