The former Sunderland defender would also advocate moves for Ryan Giggs or Roy Keane if the Scot departs.
Michael Gray in action for Sunderland against Newcastle
Former Sunderland left-back Michael Gray has changed his mind over who he would want to replace David Moyes as manager of the Black Cats.
Recent media reports suggest Moyes’ Stadium of Light future is under threat following the Scot’s failure to keep Sunderland in the Premier League.
And while lifelong Sunderland fan Gray – who won two promotions with the club as a player – refused to comment on whether or not he would like to see the Mackems to part with Moyes, he has drawn up a shortlist of three managers he would target if the 54-year-old departs.
Previously, Gray had put forward Ryan Giggs, the former Manchester United winger, as his number one choice, but has since demoted the Welshman to second, behind a current international boss.
“I’d probably change that right now,” Gray told Talksport this on Wednesday afternoon. “Chris Coleman, who I work with, I think is a fantastic guy. His enthusiasm is brilliant. I’d take Chris Coleman tomorrow – he’d be the number one on my list right now. But I don’t know if he’s going to stay with Wales.
“I just think Ryan, he’s looking for that opportunity. He’s got respect every time he walks into the dressing room, players would obviously want to play for him. But if you bring in somebody like Ryan – his first managerial job – you’ve got to back him with funds. You need the chairman onside. If he backs him with funds, Ryan, there’s no better place. We saw it with Roy Keane (the former Sunderland manager).
Former Sunderland manager Roy Keane
“Roy is my number three. It probably wouldn’t happen but Roy, probably, would take no prisoners if them players weren’t doing it. And I think he’s learned from that experience of working under Martin O’Neill at the Republic of Ireland.
“I think he’s learned from what he did wrong. That’s the type of character that we need at the club. It’s worked with Sam Allardyce, who got it right, Peter Reid, for seven-and-a-half-years, got it right. Same type of character as Roy Keane.”
Coleman, who managed Fulham, Real Sociedad, Coventry City and Larissa before taking the Wales reins, led the Dragons to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 – their first international tournament in 58 years.
However, a report in Tuesday’s Mirror claimed the 46-year-old will consider his position if Wales lose their next World Cup qualifier.
Wales head coach Chris Coleman
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