The Barnsley manager was said to be high on Sunderland’s list of potential successors to Simon Grayson.
It seems another manager who won’t be joining Sunderland is Barnsley’s Paul Heckingbottom.
Sky Sports reports Sunderland have ended their interest in the 40-year-old, who began his playing career at the Stadium of Light.
Heckingbottom was said to be high on Sunderland’s list of potential successors to Simon Grayson, alongside Northern Ireland Michael O’Neill, who the Sun reported on Thursday has ruled himself out of a move.
And it appears they are now moving on to other targets, although no reason is given for their sudden change of heart on Heckingbottom.
On Thursday, he reiterated there had been no contact from Sunderland, however whether or not that remains the case is currently unclear.
The Barnsley native has taken his boyhood club from 12th in League One to 16th in the Championship in 21 months as manager.
Chris Coleman (Wales), Ally McCoist and Peter Reid (both unattched) all feature highly on the bookmakers’ lists of potential Sunderland appointments.
To whom do Sunderland turn if their interest in the Barnsley boss has indeed ended?
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