New name in the frame for Sunderland job? Coleman moves up in the betting as Rosler is rumoured

Sunderland’s hunt for a new manager appears to have ground to something of a halt with the news Paul Heckingbottom has distanced himself from the vacancy and the prospect Michael O’Neill is likely to hear out what the Scottish FA have to say about him succeeding Gordon Strachan north of the border.

But with several sources hinting there may be a new name in the hat or a ‘dark horse’ lurking as an alternative, word reaches us that the Black Cats may have turned their attention to former Manchester City forward Uwe Rosler who is presently manager of Fleetwood Town.

Meanwhile, Wales boss Chris Coleman has seen a significant shift in the betting odds this morning and is now second-favourite for the Stadium of Light gig as a 3/1 shout just behind leading contender Heckingbottom.

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

Rosler has had spells managing Brentford, Wigan and Leeds prior to his current stint at League One Fleetwood. The ex-City striker, who scored 50 goals during a three year spell in Manchester, signed a new deal in the summer to keep him at the Lancashire club to 2020 and he’s presently a 12/1 shot to take the manager’s job at the Stadium of Light.

Fleetwood are currently ninth in League One, a point away from the Play-off places and lost out in the promotion knock-outs last season to Bradford City. Rosler was linked with taking charge of Norwich in the summer as well as being touted for a return to Wigan, the club who sacked him in 2014 despite leading them to an FA Cup semi-final place in the previous campaign.

Latics owner Dave Whelan would later maintain Rosler was a good manager and is thought to have regretted his decision to axe him. The former East German international had first burst into English football management after coaching in Norway by leading Brentford into the Championship during a three-year spell at Griffin Park.

Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images

The 49-year-old German was in charge of Leeds for just over a year where he was joined by current assistant Rob Kelly who remains with him at Fleetwood. Kelly has previously had stints as caretaker at the likes of Leicester and Preston and it is thought Sunderland’s offer to Rosler includes the appointment of his number two.

The offer to Rosler from the Black Cats may be still sitting on the table with prospective candidates seemingly giving the job some seriously careful thought having seen so many previous managers fail on Wearside.

Welsh boss Coleman has been little mentioned so far in the Sunderland hunt for a new man to succeed Simon Grayson who departed over a fortnight ago, but money seems to have been lumped on him taking the Black Cats job this morning as he prepares to discuss his future as national team boss at the end of the week.

The 47-year-old is also thought to be in the frame to take the Rangers job with the Welsh FA supposedly meeting tomorrow to discuss certain demands made by Coleman who could yet walk away from Cardiff.