Jack Ross looks close to becoming the new manager of Sunderland but could he achieve what his fellow countryman did on Wearside?
St Mirren manager Jack Ross looks close to moving to the English Football League from the Scottish Championship to take charge of Sunderland (according to the BBC).
If Ross is appointed, it will be Sunderland’s fourth manager in three seasons, after Chris Coleman was recently let go from his role.
41-year-old Ross was named as Manager of the Year last season, after his side won the Scottish Championship, winning 23 out of their 36 games and losing just eight.
But he will not be the first Scottish manager who has made the switch from St Mirren to Sunderland.
Former Black Cats manager Johnny Cochrane also made the move from the Saints to the Black Cats and was very successful during his tenure.
After arriving on Wearside in 1928, Cochrane managed over 500 games, winning the Football League First Division in the 1935/36 season.
Cochrane also guided Sunderland to their first FA Cup triumph in 1937, with a 3-1 win over Preston North End, topping off an extremely successful few years for the club.
Bobby Gurney, Eddie Burbanks and the infamous Raich Carter got the goals to win the game that day, despite being 1-0 down going into half time.
Sunderland’s next FA Cup trophy would not be for another 36 years, when Bob Stokoe cemented his name in the history books as one of the greatest managers to take the reigns at the Wearside club.
So it probably is not unfair to say Ross has a lot to live up to if he is to join Sunderland.
But with the backing of new owner Stewart Donald and an extremely passionate fan base, Ross will have all the tools to ensure his time at Sunderland is a memorable one.
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