The Derby County coach is among the favourites for the Sunderland position.
Michael Gray doubts his former Sunderland teammate Kevin Phillips would take the Stadium of Light manager’s job.
Phillips is among the bookies’ favourites to succeed Simon Grayson, who was sacked 17 minutes after Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Bolton Wanderers.
The 44-year-old, who is currently on the coaching staff at Derby County, would likely be a popular appointment among the Sunderland fanbase, having spent six largely successful seasons on Wearside as a player.
But speaking during an appearance on Talksport on Wednesday afternoon (16:45), Gray appeared to pour cold water on the speculation.
“Kevin Phillips is the fairytale for everybody,” said the 43-year-old. “He’s an absolute god up there.
“Kevin is working at Derby and he’s doing a very good job there. Kevin looking from the outside, looking at Sunderland’s job right now, is thinking why would I? Why would I take that and tarnish my name up in the north east? That’s the way I see it.
“And I’m sure he’s going to jump into management one day, but he will probably hate to jump into that Sunderland job right now, the way it is.”
Gray, a lifelong Sunderland supporter who spent more than a decade on the books at the Stadium of Light, yesterday urged the club to re-hire he and Phillips’ old boss, Peter Reid.
Reid twice led the Mackems to promotion during his seven years in charge, but hasn’t managed in English football since a year-long stint with Plymouth Argyle at the start of this decade.
Would Phillips leave Derby to become Sunderland’s new manager?
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