Sunderland are looking for a double-winning manager to replace Michael Beale.
DOUBLE-WINNER Raphael Wicky is a fresh candidate to become Sunderland’s next manager.
The search for a permanent CEO to succeed Michael Beale has now reached the 100-day milestone, putting pressure on owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to make a decision.
The Black Cats are now looking at the guy who led Young Boys to Swiss Super League and Cup triumph last season.
It’s been a painful 12 months on Wearside, as what appeared to be another fantastic season for Sunderland ended in disappointment and left the club without a manager.
Tony Mowbray, who guided them to the Championship play-offs the previous season, was fired in December with the team ranked eighth.
His replacement Beale then suffered six defeats in his opening 12 games and was also axed in February.
Popular coach Mike Dodds was named interim coach for the remainder of the season, although Sunderland finished 16th.
Sun Sport knows that Will Still, who left Reims in France earlier this month, is still Louis-Dreyfus’ favorite pick.
However, we have discovered that former Switzerland international Wicky is now being considered for the role, albeit he is also thought to be on Burnley’s radar.
The 47-year-old had an impressive midfield career with Sion, Werder Bremen, Atletico Madrid, and Hamburg. Advertisement.
He won a host of trophies before hanging up his boots in 2008 after a short stint in America.
Wicky then set about his coaching career, working with the youth sides FC Thun, Servette and Basel before he took over their first-team late on in the 2016/17 season.
Wicky took charge of USA’s under-17 squad and then had a spell in charge of Chicago Fire in the MLS but returned to his homeland in June 2022.
He took over Young Boys and led them to a Swiss double in his first season in charge.
Wicky, who represented his country at two European Championships and the 2006 World Cup as a player, left the club in April.
That means that Sunderland would not be required to pay any compensation for him should they offer him the job.
Danny Rohl has penned a new deal with Sheffield Wednesday which ruled him out but Englishman Still is heavily fancied.
The 31-year-old took charge of Reims, where he was previously assistant to Oscar Garcia, in October 2022 with the side languishing in the midst of a Ligue 1 relegation fight.
He then led them to a 19-game unbeaten run and an 11th-placed finish.
Reims were in the exact same position this term with three matches remaining when they announced that the Englishman was leaving with immediate effect.
Be the first to comment