Micky Gray thinks Sunderland could return to the Premier League if Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder becomes their new boss.
Micky Gray has backed the appointment of Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder as the next Sunderland manager following the sacking of Chris Coleman.
The Black Cats will be playing in League One next season following a second successive relegation, having only dropped into the Championship from the Premier League in 2017.
As the Yorkshire post reports, Wilder has been linked with the vacant position at the Stadium of Light amid speculation he is unhappy about the ownership row currently going on at the Blades.
The 50-year-old refused to comment on the rumours following his side’s 3-2 win at Bristol City on the final day of the season to confirm a 10th-place finish, having only been promoted from the third tier of English football under him last term.
Academy product and Sunderland defender for 12 years, Gray, thinks that with new owners now confirmed at his boyhood club then the Wearsiders could bounce back to the top flight if Wilder were to take the job.
“If he can achieve that [promotion] in his first season and take us into the Championship, with backing again, then there’s no reason why Chris and his side can’t go up again,” the 43-year-old said while speaking as a pundit on Football On 5: The Championship on Sunday night (06/05/2018).
“That’s what it’s all about, we’ve got to try and get someone who’ll take it step by step. It’s not going to happen overnight.
“He’s got the experience of being promoted out of that division with different clubs.
“I think he’ll get the best out of the players. Certainly with the recruitment at the club under the new ownership, it’s pretty rosy if everything goes to plan.”
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