Sunderland have shortlisted three potential candidates for their managerial position.
Sunderland is still on the hunt for a new permanent head coach after parting ways with former boss Michael Beale over 100 days ago. Following Beale’s departure, interim manager Mike Dodds stepped in for the remainder of the Championship season. However, Sunderland has struggled to find a long-term replacement and has yet to secure a new manager for the upcoming season.
Reports indicate that Sunderland has now narrowed down their shortlist to three potential candidates, suggesting some progress in their search.
Sunderland Eyeing Former Eredivisie Boss
According to Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, former AZ Alkmaar manager Pascal Jansen is among the final three contenders for the job at the Stadium of Light. The other two candidates are St. Mirren’s Stephen Robinson and Stockport County’s Dave Challinor, who recently led his team to a League Two title.
Jansen, currently without a job, could be an attractive option for Sunderland as they wouldn’t need to pay compensation to hire him. This could make him a favorable choice over Robinson and Challinor.
Why Dan Neil Would Love Playing for Pascal Jansen
Pascal Jansen, known for his “exciting” style, typically employs a 4-3-3 formation. His system uses one anchor midfielder and two box-to-box midfielders who have the freedom to move dynamically across the pitch. During his last full season with Alkmaar in 2022/23, Jansen effectively utilized midfielder Tijjani Reijnders in a box-to-box role.
Player Comparison: Reijnders vs. Neil
| Statistic | Tijjani Reijnders (22/23 Eredivisie) | Dan Neil (23/24 Championship) |
|———–|————————————–|——————————-|
| Appearances | 34 | 42 |
| Goals | 3 | 4 |
| Assists | 7 | 5 |
| Key passes per game | 1.8 | 1.1 |
| Dribbles completed per game | 1.5 | 1.0 |
| Tackles + interceptions per game | 2.7 | 2.7 |
Reijnders thrived under Jansen’s system, making significant contributions both offensively and defensively. His form earned him a €20m (£17m) move to AC Milan in the summer of 2023.
Similarly, Dan Neil could excel in Jansen’s 4-3-3 setup. Neil’s abilities on and off the ball, combined with his athleticism, could see him flourish as one of the two number eights. Jansen’s system could help Neil make more key passes and dribbles, showcasing his talent and potentially attracting interest from bigger clubs in the future.