Sunderland

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There has been an update on Sunderland's head coach search... from other clubs they are linked with.

BBC Radio Norfolk's Chris Reeve has reported Will Still has been at Norwich's Lotus Training Centre.

Danny Rohl is close to reaching a new agreement with current club Sheffield Wednesday according to BBC Radio Sheffield's Rob Staton.

Sky Germany are reporting Bo Svensson to Union Berlin is a 'done deal.'

Who are you hoping to become the next Sunderland head coach? How do you feel about the delay in the appointment? Have your say here.

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Reims' President Jean-Pierre Caillot has spoken about Will Still's exit from the French club.

He told France Bleu, “I think that the ‘Will Still effect’ meant that there were a lot of communications from him, a lot of requests.

"A more experienced coach would have protected himself more, and he went from being a nice guy with a fresh air, to someone who was a little lost in his communication and this was felt in his management of the team.”

“For six months, we could see that it was not the Will Still that we had chosen for over a year now, that things had changed. It was hard to imagine how the story could continue."

After a 4-1 loss at home to Clermont, Calliot says Still said "‘I have no more words, I don't know how to do it anymore.’"

They then had a meeting and agreed to mutually part ways.

How do you feel about Still after reading these comments from his previous employer? Have your say here.

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One of the candidates reportedly in the running to be Sunderland's next head coach, Bo Svensson is the number one target for Union Berlin.

According to German media, Svensson is the top choice for the Bundesliga side to be their next boss. The club narrowly avoided the German league's relegation play-offs this season.

The Danish coach previously managed Mainz and has been linked with the Union Berlin job before.

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Former Sunderland midfielder Yann M'Vila has been released by Championship rivals West Brom.

The Frenchman joined the Baggies last summer but only made 7 appearances. Prior to his move to the West Midlands, M'Vila was linked with a return to Wearside.

Fans often clamour for a comeback from the now 33-year-old who spent the 2015-16 campaign on loan at Sunderland - and could fancy the midfielder as an experienced replacement for outgoing club captain Corry Evans.

Would you like to see M'Vila back at Sunderland or is it time to move on? Have your say here.

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Seven years ago David Moyes left Sunderland after a disappointing season on Wearside.

The Black Cats were relegated to the Championship and are yet to return to the Premier League since.

Although Sunderland are searching for their next head coach and Moyes is out of work after leaving, it's unlikely he'd be welcomed back to the Stadium of Light.

What are your memories of the Moyes era at Sunderland? Have your say here.

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Two years ago today, Sunderland won the League One play-off final to secure promotion to the Championship.

Goals from Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart gave the Black Cats a 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley in 2022.

What are your memories from the day? Let us know here.

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Marco Gabbiadini has revealed he has a heart disease and is to undergo surgery.

The former Sunderland striker and pundit on BBC Radio Newcastle told his Total Sport colleagues how he had spotted signs of a potential issue initially after some shoulder surgery.

He since went to get it checked by a GP and discovered he would need a triple heart bypass. Marco expressed how little he knew about heart disease prior to this revelation and found a lot of useful information from the British Heart Foundation.

You can listen to Marco sharing his story in full on BBC Sounds.

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Jobe Bellingham has been recognised by EA FC and has been given a special mixed league Team of the Season 92 rated card.

For comparison Mbappe, Haaland and De Bruyne are the game's highest rated male players and their regular cards are 91.

New players are added every Sunday - Gyokeres (94), Firmino (94), Bonucci (93) and Summerville (92) were among the other players added this week alongside the Sunderland midfielder.

Other previous Championship players include Vardy (92), Szmodics (90), Davis (91), Walker-Peters (89) and Dewsbury-Hall (90).

Jobe is the joint highest rated Championship player and the only Sunderland player to be recognised in the same category.

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Chris Rigg has been called-up by England for a place in their under-17 Euros squad.

The teenage midfielder has 27 youth caps for England and has captained the under-16 international side.

Rigg has become a regular in Sunderland's senior squad this season making 22 appearances for the Black Cats in the 23-24 campaign.

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Sunderland trio Corry Evans, Dan Ballard and Trai Hume have been called up to Northern Ireland's squad for upcoming international friendlies.

Corry Evans, who will be released by Sunderland at the end of his contract next month, has not played for Northern Ireland since he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January 2023, but the 33-year-old returned to training with his club in March.

His brother, Jonny, who is a former Sunderland player has been recalled to the squad too.

Defensive duo Dan Ballard and Trai Hume have also been named in the squad for the upcoming internationals with Spain and Andorra in June.

Charlie Hurley's funeral took place this afternoon where around 80 people paid their respects to the Sunderland legend.

The defender was named the club's player of the century in 1979 and made a total of 401 appearances for the Wearsiders between 1957 and 1969.

He also won 40 caps for Republic of Ireland and later went on to manage Reading.

"Charlie adored Sunderland and Sunderland will always adore him," the club said in a statement on the news of his death.

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The minutes from Sunderland's Supporters' Collective Meeting have been released.

Steve Davison and Kristjaan Speakman were not in attendance but new Chief Business Officer David Bruce, Head of Communications, Digital and Marketing Oscar Chamberlain, Ticket Office Manager Robert Holmes and Supporter Liaison Officer Chris Walters were there to meet members from Branch Liaison Council, Red and White Army and Senior Supporters' Association.

• David Bruce says 'Kyril Louis Dreyfus is 100% committed' to Sunderland.

• The club are committed to providing an overview of the organisation following Steve Davison's departure and David Bruce's new role.

• Following issues with direct debits not being taken when they should have been, the ticket office will be issuing a bank update and an SAFC email confirming how payment can be made. Robert Holmes reassured fans that everyone who has received a bank mandate has their season ticket protected, offered to look at individual cases and reiterated that no seats have been cancelled.

• Approximately 2,000 non-digital season tickets requests have been made. Anyone who has requested a non-digital season ticket will be contacted by the ticket office and asked five questions to help identify the support they need. Calls will begin on the week commencing 13th May. Most will be sent an SAFC branded, NFC season card before the season starts.

• Digital season tickets will be sent out from mid-July, approximately week commencing 16 July, one month before season starts. All physical cards will be sent via post, and nobody will have to collect them from the ticket office.

• The home kit collection is due for release at the end of June; the away kit at the end of July and the third kit at the end of August. When asked if it would be possible to buy a Sunderland shirt without a gambling logo on it: David Bruce has listened to fan concerns on this and is working on it.

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Sunderland have announced four pre-season friendlies for this summer.

The Black Cats will kick-off their pre-season schedule with a double bill facing South Shields and Gateshead on the same day, like last year, on Saturday 13 July.

The squad will then travel to Alicante where there are then two TBC fixtures the following weekend before a trip to Blackpool on Saturday 27 July, and then Bradford City on Tuesday 30 July.

A final fixture is TBC for the weekend of August 3.

• Saturday 13 July – South Shields (A, 12.30pm)

• Saturday 13 July – Gateshead FC (A, 5pm)

• Saturday 20 July – TBC

• Sunday 21 July – TBC

• Saturday 27 July – Blackpool (A, 3pm)

• Tuesday 30 July – Bradford City (A, 7.30pm)

• Weekend of August 3 – TBC

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Club captain Corry Evans Sunderland exit has been confirmed after the Black Cats have released their retained list for next season.

Evans made 67 appearances for Sunderland after joining from Blackburn in 2021, guiding the club to promotion via the League One play-offs. The midfielder picked up an injury earlier in the 23-24 campaign but returned for the final three games of the season.

In a letter to fans, Evans said, "It is with a heavy heart that I announce my departure from the Club.

"This Club, and all of you, have been my family for the past three years, and leading this team as captain has been the greatest honour of my career.

"Your unwavering support, passion, and loyalty have been a constant source of inspiration to me and my teammates.

"Together, we've experienced unforgettable highs. That day at Wembley is one that I will never forget. It's been a privilege to fight for this badge and to represent you on the pitch.

"Though my journey with Sunderland is coming to an end, myself and my family will forever be supporting you. Thank you for everything, and I wish the Club nothing but success in the future.

"Ha'way the Lads!"

Bradley Dack, Jack Diamond and Ellis Taylor are among the other names leaving the club.

What do you think of Corry's exit? Have your say here.

The transfer window opens for Sunderland next month on the 14th June.

A lot of Sunderland's squad appear to be targets for Premier League club and European giants alike.

Jack Clarke has long been admired. Academy graduate duo Anthony Patterson and Dan Neil have both been linked with moves and speculation also surrounds scholar Chris Rigg along with Jobe Bellingham, Dan Ballard and Trai Hume.

Every player has a price but with Premier League promotion to ultimate goal, are there some players Sunderland have to keep and build the team around?

Have your say on how you would manage the outgoing transfers here.

Sunderland will be able to sign players from the 14th June when the summer transfer window opens.

Fans have been crying out for a proven goalscorer and many would like to see experience added to the side to balance out the youth development model the club have adopted.

What do you want Sunderland's transfer priorities to be? Have your say here.

We asked for your thoughts on who should be Sunderland's next head coach. Here are some of your comments:

Richie: I’d take a punt on Rosenior, did well at Hull and can only get better, but on the transfer side the owners have to cut a bit of slack.

Derek: It seems the club do not know now three months on and no decisions announced. The Stadium of Light is a tough place so someone with teflon and experience. A bit like Mowbray I suppose.

Grahame: The next gaffer has to be able to bring his own staff in, whether it's Will Still or someone else. Personally I would go for Steve Cooper.

Brian: This is a big summer at Sunderland. We need a quick appointment. They've had four months to consider who to appoint. The form from January onwards was relegation form. Some experience is required and a proper centre forward or two. Please get it sorted quickly.

Roberto: Tony Mowbray. Like almost all Sunderland fans, I didn't want him to be sacked in the first place. But as re-appointing him looks unlikely, I think we should go for Will Still. The big question is, will Will Still still be interested in the job?

Terry: Steve Cooper. Very experienced in Championship and Premier League, has good CV in coaching younger players and used to working on a tight budget in the lower league.

John: Michael Duff should be given the new role, after various promotions and only failed role at Swansea. With lots of experience at all levels. The Black Cats could be on the way back!

Anthony: It’s got to be Will Still. Should have done everything it too to get him last time, the season couldn’t have been any worse after Mowbray was dismissed. Perhaps he’s seen what a mess we’re in and is put off now. Who knows where we would have been if his appointment had been made when he interviewed last time but I’d guess it would be better than now.

Colin: Paul Heckingbottom would be my choice, but with this owner and director of football it could be anybody.

Chris: Too much of a risk to take a punt on a coach with no direct experience of Championship football. Cooper and Rosenior have proven themselves more than capable at this level, but whoever is appointed it needs to happen soon. After all, the Board have had months to draw up a shortlist.

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Sunderland's under 21s are through to the semi-final of the Premier League 2 play-offs.

The young Black Cats beat West Ham's under 21s in a dramatic quarter final tie.

The Hammers opened the scoring before an Ellis Taylor equaliser sent the game to extra time with it being 1-1 at full time.

The visitors at Eppleton took the lead again which was then cancelled out by a Caden Kelly goal for Sunderland.

West Ham missed a penalty just before getting their third of the game but Sunderland made another comeback through Tommy Watson.

It was Watson who also scored the winning penalty with Sunderland scoring all five of their spot kicks and West Ham missing their fourth effort.

Sunderland will face Reading in the semi-final.

Sunderland's search for a new head coach continues after the close of the season.

Supporters on Wearside were hoping for an announcement of a new appointment pretty quickly after, if not before the end of 2023-24 Championship campaign but we're yet to discover who will take charge at the Stadium of Light.

Mike Dodds took interim charge for the remaining games of the season after the controversial Michael Beale was sacked. Beale had replaced popular boss Tony Mowbray.

Candidates ranging from Will Still to Jermain Defoe and Steve Cooper, Paul Heckingbottom and Danny Rohl have been rumoured to be next in line for the Black Cats. Rene Maric, Liam Rosenior and Bo Svennson have also since emerged as possibilities.

Who would you like to see take charge of Sunderland for next season and why? Have your say here.