The former Bristol City boss is Sunderland’s first choice, but Aberdeen won’t let him – or his assistant – leave on the cheap.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes
After Sunderland formally approached Aberdeen with regards to taking their manager Derek McInnes to the Stadium of Light, they’ve now been quoted a fee to pay in compensation for the former Bristol City boss – £1.2m, as reported by the Sunderland Echo.
That money would be enough for Aberdeen to part ways with the 45-year-old manager and his assistant, Tony Docherty, who led the Dons to second in the Scottish Premiership last season, finishing nine points clear of Rangers in the process.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes celebrates at full time
It seems that McInnes has restored his reputation as a manager following a disastrous spell with Bristol City which saw the Robins lose seven games in a row – leaving them eight points clear of safety – which ultimately led to McInnes getting the sack in January 2013, with the club going on to finish bottom of the Championship that 2012/13 season.
However, McInnes then went to Aberdeen and won the Scottish League Cup there – the club’s first trophy in 19 years – and turned the Dons into Rangers’ replacement as main challenger to Celtic’s throne, following the Ibrox club’s imposed demotions.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes celebrates at full time
The Sunderland Echo believe that McInnes hasn’t agreed to becoming Sunderland boss yet as he’s waiting to see what budget he will be given, but with several player sales expected to generate a lot of funds, it’s thought he’ll have a healthy budget to play with, if he takes the job.
Sunderland finished bottom of the Premier League last season under the stewardship of David Moyes, and will seek to return to the top flight at the very first attempt in a similar fashion to how their rivals Newcastle United did last season.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes celebrates at full time
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