Sunderland have been linked with Red Bull Salzburg manager Matthias Jaissle but reports in France are now claiming that he has also been sounded out by Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco.
When reports emerged recently suggesting that Monaco could replace much-coveted sporting director Paul Mitchell with Thiago Scuro, it was tempting to wonder if the man taking Philippe Clement’s seat in the Monegasque dugout would be another from the ‘energy drink’ stable.
Scuro has made his name over in Brazil with Red Bull Bragantino. Matthias Jaissle, meanwhile, enhanced his growing reputation with a second successive Austrian Bundesliga title at sister club Red Bull Salzburg earlier this month.
Is it a mere coincidence that both have been linked with Monaco, at the very same time. In short, probably not, no.
According to talkSPORT, Sunderland identified 35-year-old Jaissle as a potential replacement for veteran manager Tony Mowbray following the play-off semi-final defeat to Luton Town.
If the Black Cats step up their interest, they could face competition from not only Europa League holders Eintracht Frankfurt but also one of the biggest clubs on French soil too.
Sunderland eye Matthias Jaissle amid Tony Mowbray rumours
L’Equipe say that Monaco have now enquired about Jaissle’s availability. And they are likely to have received a very firm response.
“It’s nice that our coaches are being talked about,” Salzburg director Christoph Freund tells Kicker. “Matthias is a good young coach. He still has a contract with us and he will still be our coach next season.”
“With Matthias, we have the youngest coach who has now won two titles in a row. He’s definitely a coach who is in great demand on the international market. There are not many young coaches who have such potential and have already achieved a lot.
“The plan is that we go into the new season with him.”
Reports suggesting that Mowbray was fighting for his job at Sunderland certainly raised eyebrows both in and outside of Wearside. The 59-year-old – perennially underrated during his time at Blackburn Rovers – has done sterling work at the Stadium of Light, a young and inexperienced Sunderland side coming within 180 minutes of a return to the Premier League and successive promotions.
“I’ve enjoyed it, but who knows what my future holds. Let’s wait and see,” Mowbray tells The Chronicle. “Do I want to be here next season? I do, yes.
“But let’s wait and see how it goes, and what the summer brings. I don’t know what will happen next. I’ll just get on with it. I’ve got a contract so I’ll just keep going.”
Sunderland also reportedly like former Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber and Francesco Farioli – the 34-year-old Marcelo Bielsa disciple who turned Alanyaspor into arguably the best footballing team in Turkey and held talks with Rangers six months ago.
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