Sunderland want a coach with a proven League One record after sacking Jack Ross and two-time promotion winner Phil Parkinson ticks that box.
Phil Parkinson has put his name forward to take over at Sunderland with the former Bolton Wanderers coach looking to make a return to the dugout, as reported by the Northern Echo.
Just two days after Jack Ross bit the bullet following a poor start to the season, the Black Cats have been linked with a whole host of potential replacements.
Daniel Stendel has already emerged as perhaps the most likely option after leaving Championship strugglers Barnsley with TEAMtalk claiming that Wigan Athletic’s Paul Cook and Coventry City’s Mark Robins are also on the shortlist.
Gary Rowett, Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and club legend Kevin Phillips have apparently applied for the job too.
But, with owner Stewart Donald prioritising a coach with a proven League One track record, he must be tempted by the idea of handing the reigns to the experienced Parkinson.
The 51-year-old has an excellent record in the third tier. He guided Colchester United to an unlikely promotion to the Championship in 2006, repeated the trick with Bolton Wanderers and also led Charlton Athletic to the play-offs. His Bradford City side, who famously reached the EFL Cup final and beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, performed another giant-killing when they knocked Gus Poyet’s side out of the FA Cup in 2015.
Parkinson is famed for his ability to get the best out of the players at his disposal and he could give Sunderland a jolt of life after growing stale under Ross.
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