The Barnsley manager began his career at Sunderland.
Barnsley manager Paul Heckingbottom has told BBC Radio Sheffield he has received no contact from anyone at Sunderland Football Club.
Heckingbottom is on many bookmakers’ list of potential Sunderland appointments, after Simon Grayson was sacked by the Mackems on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old began his career at the Stadium of Light, but never played a competitive game for the Wearside club.
Now in his second full season at Barnsley, of whom he is a lifelong supporter, Heckingnbottom already has a League One promotion and Football League Trophy on his CV.
And his stock has risen considerably over the past one and a bit campaigns, having established the Reds back in the second tier, where they are three places and six points better off than Sunderland.
But when asked if anyone from his former club has been in touch this week, Heckingbottom replied: “Other than people that I know in the north east, no. It’s just been people I know that’s been ringing me.”
He went on to tell the Yorkshire Post: “It’s flattering in that respect that things are going well and you can do a job, but other than that, that is it.
“Other than being asked about it now, it’s not even in my head so that’s as far as it goes.”
According to BBC Sport, Sunderland are looking to hire an experienced manager, which would appear to rule out Heckingbottom regardless of any interest from the Yorkshireman.
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