According to Ally McCoist, Sunderland needs to identify a player akin to Kieran McKenna.
The Black Cats have had an awful second half of the season, witnessing the total collapse of their promotion chances.
Michael Beale’s brief tenure as head coach of the Wearside team ended with Mike Dodds taking over.
For the balance of the season, the 37-year-old will lead the first team squad while the club’s administration looks for a long-term replacement.
There has not yet been an appointment made, but a new head coach is anticipated to start in the summer.
Ally McCoist highlights head coach need at Sunderland
McCoist has identified the qualities that Sunderland should seek in a long-term successor for Beale.
He thinks the team has the same potential as teams like Ipswich, who have seen incredible success under McKenna in recent years.
“It’s obvious that things didn’t work out with Michael Beale, and I believe Sunderland needs its own Kieran McKenna at Ipswich—he’s done an incredible job there,” McCoist remarked.
“Observing him, I question if there are any other youthful mentors who could take over Sunderland and inspire the team.
There is tremendous potential for the club, therefore someone has to lead it forward.
“They require a capable, youthful, and driven coach with independent ideas and board support.
“The fans, who are currently mired in mud, are yelling out for someone to emerge who they can support and who can elevate them to new heights.
“Sunderlands has an amazing vibe.
“The atmosphere at the FA Cup match against Newcastle earlier this season was the best I’ve experienced outside of the Old Firm,” the author said.
The club has enormous potential, therefore someone needs to take the reins and steer it in the right direction.
They need a coach who is talented, young, and motivated, who can think independently and have board support.
“The fans are calling for someone to step up who they can support and who can take them to new heights because they are currently buried in mud.
“The mood of Underlands is incredible.
“The atmosphere at the FA Cup match against Newcastle earlier this season was the best I’ve experienced outside of the Old Firm,” stated the writer.