clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Roundup: Bracewell & Wilson told they can leave Stadium of Light; Larsson hanging on Sunderland offer

As Sunderland prepare to unveil Derek McInnes as the new manager at the Stadium of Light, reports suggest assistant manager Paul Bracewell and Chief Football Officer Simon Wilson have been told to leave the club; and Sebastian Larsson's agent indicates his client is holding on to make a decision over whether to accept a contract extension at the club.

Bracewell & Wilson informed they can leave

According to the Daily Mail, Sunderland Chief Football Officer Simon Wilson and Assistant Manager Paul Bracewell have been informed they are free to leave the club.

Darlington v Sunderland - Pre Season Friendly
Paul Bracewell
Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

With Derek McInnes set to be unveiled in the Stadium of Light hot seat within the next 48 hours, the exit of two key backroom figures will hail an overhaul of the entire Sunderland set-up as the Aberdeen boss looks set to bring his assistant Tony Docherty with him from Pitodrie.

Bracewell has been associated with Sunderland since the early 1980s when he joined as a 21-year-old midfielder.

The 54-year-old has had three spells at the club as a player as well as being appointed to the position of coach to the under-21s and under-18s in 2013. In 2015 he took up first team duties under Dick Advocaat and remained in post through the tenures of Sam Allardyce and David Moyes.

Rotherham United v Sunderland - Pre-Season Friendly
Bracewell and Stockdale
Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images

There's no word on Sunderland's other first team coach Robbie Stockdale which may mean the 37-year-old will survive the restructure.

As for Wilson, he joined Sunderland in the newly created post of Chief Football Officer in January. Given oversight of the recruitment, scouting and academy functions at the club, his role has remained somewhat mysterious.

The 38-year-old was plucked from Manchester City where he headed up the performance analysis department at the Etihad.


Scouts at Under-21 Euros

Sunderland will have no scouts at the Under-21 European Championships which kick off on Friday.

The official list of accredited talent-spotters for the tournament has been released and the Black Cats have opted not to send any representatives to Poland to check out prospective targets.

UEFA.com

Whilst Newcastle and Middlesbrough will send a scout to the European showcase of young talent, Sunderland have chosen not to. And although there are only a handful of Championship clubs with a representative at the event, most Premier League clubs have a presence at the finals.

Wearside is represented by two players at the games which kick off on Friday - just. Forward Joel Asoro is in the Swedish camp whilst Jordan Pickford will probably still be a Sunderland player throughout the fortnight.

England U21 Training Session and Press Conference
Jordan Pickford training with England ahead of the U21 Championships
Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

Whilst reports today have indicated that Everton have agreed a fee for the 23-year-old goalkeeper, it's thought a medical and final sign-off will not take place until after the event finishes on the 30th June - or whenever England are eliminated.


Larsson wanted in Turkey but reports indicate he will hang on for Sunderland offer

Sebastian Larsson was omitted from Sunderland's retained list and at present - officially - his contract with the Black Cats will expire at the end of this month.

Chelsea v Sunderland - Premier League
Sebastian Larsson
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

There are widespread suggestions still that Sunderland have tabled a new offer but the details of that will likely not be pursued until the new manager takes up his post at the Stadium of Light.

With Larsson in Sweden on international business this week, the midfielder has been partaking in a regular round of media duties. And today, Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet indicated that Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor have approached the 32-year-old with an offer for next season.

Sweden v France - FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier
Larsson playing for Sweden on Friday against France in a World Cup Qualifier
Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images

And Larsson's agent Per Jonsson has confirmed the interest:

I can confirm that there is interest from Turkey for Sebastian Larsson. We will consider options after national games.

Jonsson has previously claimed that his client - a veteran of over 200 games for Sunderland - also has offers from England and China.

The Swedish newspaper however concludes that Larsson's preferred option will be to wait and consider Sunderland's offer dependent on the identity of the new manager at the Stadium of Light.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Roker Report Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of Sunderland news from Roker Report