Sunderland are without a boss following Chris Coleman’s sacking.
Mick McCarthy and Paul Cook are back among the leading contenders to become Sunderland’s next manager.
The market had gone cold as Sunderland await confirmation of Stewart Donald’s takeover, with Chris Wilder frozen as most bookmakers’ odds-on favourite for much of the past fortnight.
Then, on Friday last week, John O’Shea appeared at 7/1 with Paddy Power, to leave only Wilder and Michael Appleton (7/2) ahead of him.
McCarthy was 12/1 at that stage, ahead of Paul Cook, who had only recently signed a new contract at Wigan Athletic. However, the pair are now 7/2 and 5/1 respectively.
McCarthy led Sunderland into the Premier League 13 years ago, and could be a popular choice among the Mackems faithful – some of whom called for his return after he parted company with Ipswich Town last month.
And while Cook has zero ties to Sunderland, his track record of promotions – three in four seasons – could make the 51-year-old another welcome appointment.
Who will be Sunderland’s next manager?
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