Legendary Sunderland player Gary Bennett discusses the team’s season and the search for a new head coach.

Legendary Sunderland player Gary Bennett feels the squad overachieved the previous season, but he also thinks they could have made the playoffs with a consistent striker.

The Black Cats appeared poised to contend for a top-six spot again after placing sixth the previous season, but they have drastically declined in recent months. The Sunderland team had only won two of their previous 14 league games coming into this weekend’s matchup with Sheffield Wednesday, their last game of the season, following a 1-0 loss to Watford last time out.

When asked about Sunderland’s 2023–24 campaign, Bennett told the Echo, “Maybe last season they overachieved but then you look at this season, I think if you had a striker I think we could have made the play-offs.” It follows the Black Cats’ acquisition of four youthful strikers during the summer transfer window, none of whom have appeared to be prepared to contribute significantly at the Championship level.

Following their dismissals of Michael Beale and Tony Mowbray, Sunderland appointed Mike Dodds as their acting head coach in February. After taking some time to consider their choices, the club is now hoping to make a permanent appointment this summer in order to contend for a top-six spot the following season.

“The main goal is to score points on the board; you want a coach to come in, rally the players, and hopefully play attractive football. You’re content as long as you receive points.

“Identifying a single coach who will enter the room and handle the business is not possible. You already know what will happen if he doesn’t produce results after three, four, or five games: the fans will be upset. That’s football; it’s all about the outcome.

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