EFL expert highlights two ‘ideal candidates’ for Sunderland manager’s job

Although Don Goodman considers the Sunderland position to be “not an attractive one,” he thinks Ian

Evatt and Steve Cooper would make excellent hires.

In addition, the former Black Cats striker thinks the team needs to add three or four veteran players in

the summer to supplement the younger ones, particularly if Jack Clarke departs as predicted.

Goodman emphasized to King Casino Bonus that Sunderland’s regulations and approach make it

unappealing for a top-tier manager to work there.

“I’ve seen Steve Cooper linked and he’s an ideal candidate being from an academy background, having

worked effectively with young players and succeeded by guiding Swansea to the play-offs twice and

taking Nottingham Forest from the bottom of the table to the Premier League.

“He knows the Championship and has a reputation for moulding young players.

“But is it an attractive job for Steve Cooper when he can’t bring in the players he wants? I just cannot see

how they will attract a manager of his pedigree. I hope they are already in the market and talking to

prospective new managers. Mike Dodds will be desperate to put a run of results together and be in the

conversation but he needs to put results together and quickly.”

“Ian Evatt would be a very good fit for the job,” he continued. His aggressive style, possession

dominance, and front-foot play are all quite similar to Tony Mowbray’s. Bolton supporters won’t thank

me for this. But would he abandon Bolton? He could not desire the job for all of the aforementioned

reasons.

“He and Steve Cooper would be perfect for Sunderland stylistically.”

Goodman acknowledges the advantages of developing young players when it comes to player recruiting,

but he believes that this is only true to some extent.