A sign of scale of job required now at Sunderland

A forgotten man on Wearside, but he’s still contracted until 2019.

He’s spent the season on loan at Bristol City, playing 13 games. Useful enough in the Championship, a return to Scotland could also be an ago that Sunderland replaced UEFA Cup-winning coach - and now Holland national boss - Dick Advocaat with Sam Allardyce, the ‘go-to’ man for clubs in trouble.

Big Sam hates to be typecast, but there is no getting away from the fact Premier League owners have him on speed-dial just in case the prospect of relegation looms, and in October 2015 it was Sunderland’s Ellis Short who made the call.

Perhaps the worst signing of last summer, Moyes threw away £8m on the former Chelsea defender.

A woeful season at the Stadium of Light was ironically met with quotes from the centre-back saying his agent was searching for a new Premier League club.

More likely, he could return to Germany where he impressed while on loan at Werder Bremen the season before.

Teams in France or might show interest too.

They won’t recoup everything but should get around £3-4m. Moyes’ Italy

And having dragged the Black Cats clear of danger he ascended, albeit briefly, to the England manager’s job.

Sunderland were able to replace him with another manager of international standing in David Moyes, who on the back of a decade of success at Everton had been Sir Alex Ferguson’s pick as his successor at the biggest gig in town, Manchester United, in 2013.

As we know, tenure at Sunderland did not work out and he resigned this week.

But it is clear there has been a dropoff in terms of quality of candidates.

Sunderland are fishing in a very different pool as their next boss is likely to come with a Championship or SPFL background.

Of course, that does not mean whoever takes over will be no good.

There are many managers operating outside the top flight who have what it takes to succeed in the Premier League, in the same way Sean Dyche, Tony Pulis and Eddie Howe have worked their way through the ranks.

Sunderland’s next manager will be taking on a huge challenge, but the rewards for success are there.

If they can galvanise the fans, bring back a long-lost winning feeling, and restore the club to the Premier League, they will have more than made a name for themselves.