The Sunderland head coaching role is still vacant; and among the expected British names there is an American candidate. And no, it is not Preki. The Black Cats sit second from bottom of the Premier League table and despite earning a draw at the weekend, they are now without a manager. But with the international break providing plenty of time to find a suitable replacement, just who would it be?
All the attention at the moment is on Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp. The German coach is expected to be announced any minute now with the deal all but done according to multiple reports. So with Sunderland somewhat flying under the radar, former USMNT manager Bob Bradley has found his name in the hat for the challenging position as Sunderland head coach.
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Sunderland have an American owner in Ellis Short, which is partly why Bradley’s name has cropped up along with former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce and David Moyes who is having mixed success in Spanish football.
Bradley is of course currently at Norwegian side Stabaek and has been in charge of ‘De Blaa’ since January 2014. They finished ninth in the Tippeligaen table last season and sit second as it stands. In their most recent fixture, Bradley secured a 4-1 win over Mjondalen IF. Bradley has also coached the USMNT and Egypt, as well as spells in club management with Chicago Fire, NY/NJ Metrostars and Chivas USA.
Jozy Altidore and DeAndre Yedlin are two American’s who have represented Sunderland.
Yedlin is currently on loan at the Stadium of Light having signed on the last day of the summer transfer window. The ex-Seattle Sounder made his Sunderland league debut at the weekend in the 2-2 draw with West Ham. Current Sunderland hitman and former Toronto FC Designated Player Jermaine Defoe is another to boost that MLS connection in Tyneside. Alitdore was the man who replaced Defoe in Toronto.
Stabaek chief-executive Lars Hjorth was speaking to English radio station TalkSport about Bradley possibly taking the job:
“Bob is allowed to speak with anybody he wants. That is the contract he made with us when he came to Stabaek.”
However he confirmed that there had not been any movement yet regarding a move.
“We haven’t had an approach yet but if Bob got an offer from a club in the Premier League, we would be very happy for him.”
“I know that one of his biggest wishes is to train a club in the Premier League so if he gets an offer, we will wish him good luck, and we will be very proud as a small club in Norway to give him a chance to do that.”
It does seem unlikely that Bradley will be handed the job but perhaps the American connection with the clubs owner will play a role. Sunderland are also working on a lower budget than before and Bradley would be a cheaper option compared to some of the other candidates with more Premier League experience.
He would be a gamble, but one that could pay off. Plus Sunderland really don’t have much to lose at the moment if things carry on the way they are going. Keep an eye on the hot-seat.
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