The Leicester City assistant boss has ties to Sunderland’s new owner.
Michael Appleton, the Leicester City number two, is the new favourite to be Sunderland’s next manager with Sky Bet.
Appleton (7/2) replaces Jack Ross of St Mirren, the previous front-runner, who has drifted from 2/1 to 11/2 since Monday – behind Paul Hurst of Shrewsbury Town (5/1).
Meanwhile, Alex Rae, the former Sunderland midfielder, Chris Coleman, the previous Mackems manager, and Paul Cook, the Wigan Athletic boss, are all 8/1 or shorter.
Appleton is a former manager of Oxford United – the club supported, and previously invested in, by the new Sunderland owner Stewart Donald.
The 42-year-old left the U’s last summer to link up with former colleague Craig Shakespeare at Leicester, and remained at the King Power Stadium despite the appointment of Claude Puel seven months ago.
Appleton, who has also managed Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers, was 9/2 third favourite prior to Tuesday’s shift in the market.
Should Sunderland move for the Leicester City assistant?
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