Who is in line to become the next Sunderland manager?
Sunderland supporters appeared to be moving close to clarity on the identity of their new manager on Tuesday, with Gus Poyet heavily linked with a return to the club.
Poyet had been a candidate after the departure of Phil Parkinson on Sunday, but has opted against it.
It leaves fans still waiting for clarity on a seismic appointment for the club, as well as the fate of a takeover that is believed to close.
So who are the main contenders as it stands, and what do we know about their stance? Here's the lowdown on the current runners and riders…
DANNY COWLEY: Danny Cowley is the current favourite with the bookmakers and went public with his desire to land the job in an interview with the Southend Echo on Tuesday.
"Sure," was his response when asked if interested. Sunderland are a huge football club with a wonderful history. For whatever reason they find themselves in League One but we will just have to wait and see.
"We love football and of course we miss football. We’re some enjoying some time off and it’s been a really good opportunity for us to go away and study.
“We’re continuing to try and improve and we’re working on our pro licence at the moment.We’retryingtomake the most of this time.”
Cowley, alongside brother Nicky, oversaw Lincoln City's rise from the National League toLeagueOne,alongsidesome eye-catching cup runs.
Their year-long tenure at Huddersfield Town has been a source of concern for some Sunderland supporters, but it is perhaps worth remembering that the side they inherited had just one point from seven games, having crashed out of the Premier League.
Chairman Phil Hodgkinson opted for a change in direction in both playing style and recruitment, leading to the arrival of Carlos Corberan.
Cowley is known to have admirers on the Sunderland board, and his success or otherwisemaydependinnosmall
part on where the final decision for hiring a new boss lies.
It is still unclear to what extent a potential takeover, and any new investor, could hold sway.
PAUL COOK: Cook was considered for the role after the departure of Jack Ross, and his stock has only risen since then.
The former Chesterfield and Portsmouth boss, who is close to Peter Reid, was then still manager of Wigan Athletic and though it had been a slow start to the season, their form was beginning to turn.
In the second half of the season they were superb, pushing towards the play-off positionswhentheLaticswere placed into administration.
After resigning he was said to be keen for another Championship role, but vacancies at Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday have since been filled.
Arecentappearanceonthe Totally Football League show left the strong impression that he would be open to the role on Wearside, stating that he wanted a club with the potential to ultimately push for the Premier League (though he also bizarrely repeated an incorrect statistic from social media that Sunderland have drawn over 30 of their last 50 games 1-1).
“I do feel for Sunderland fans because what they have
been through in the last five/ six years is horrendous," he said.
“Relegations, even the documentaries, you know, the Sunderland ‘Til I Die, because unfortunately, we all know how those documentaries are ending.
“They’re losing play-offs at Wembley to late goals, they have had so much pain. And like a lot of big clubs, Sunderland fans are absolutely unbelievably strong good supporters. So I think any manager that goes in will know the rules quite quickly, you must deliver.”
Cook is known to be rigid in utilising a 4-2-3-1 system, but it is known to be an attacking one and he has had success with Will Grigg and Max Power in the past.
LEE JOHNSON: Johnson has been out of work since leaving Bristol City towards the end of last season.
Johnson landed that role after an encouraging start to his managerial career at Oldham and Barnsley. He was strongly backed at Ashton Gate, but also helped bring through a number of young players who were then sold to Premier League clubs for significant fees.
He arrived with his side facing a relegation battle, and by the time of his departure they were regular play-off contenders. He is another who is believed to prefer a Championship post, but is open to a League One club of stature and potential.
Whether that is Sunderland, or whether he opts for another opportunity closer to home, remains to be seen.
DANIEL STENDEL: Stendel is well known to Sunderland supporters, with his Barnsley side pipping the Black Cats to promotion in 2018/19. It is understood that he is interested in the vacancy and has applied.
Stendel is known for favouring an ultra high-pressing game, and while hugely successful at Oakwell, his spell as manager at Hearts yielded mixed results.
Stendel was contacted after the departure of Ross, but the talks did not progress significantly and the 46-year-old did not make the final shortlist. It remains to be seen if the view of the hierarchy has changed a year on.
What odds a left-field arrival?: Last time around, experience of League One was deemed essential for any candidate.
This time the net has been cast far wider, with applications from abroad received and actively considered.
Particularly given the uncertainty over the impending takeover (and staff were told that these two crucial events are linked) and the future structure of the club, it should not be ruled out at this stage.