Paul Cook emerges as new second favourite to be Sunderland’s next manager

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The Wigan Athletic manager was linked with the Sunderland vacancy last November.

Wigan Athletic’s Paul Cook has emerged as the new second favourite to be Sunderland’s next manager with Sky Bet.

Cook was 9/1, behind Mick McCarthy, Chris Wilder and Michael Appleton, at lunchtime on Monday, but is now above all but McCarthy, at 7/2.

The Liverpudlian is on the verge of securing the League One title in his first season at Wigan – a year after he won League Two with Portsmouth.

And his promotion-winning experience is sure to appeal to Sunderland, who have slid into the third tier for the first time in 31 years.

Cook was last linked with the Stadium of Light job last November, but distanced himself from the role, which later went to Chris Coleman.

Former Sunderland manager Peter Reid has been working alongside the 51-year-old on a voluntary basis at Wigan this season and could follow him to Wearside, if a move for Cook was to go ahead.

McCarthy remains odds on (8/13) to be hired, with Wilder (4/1) and Kevin Phillips (5/1) both prominently placed.

Could Cook leave Wigan for Sunderland?