Sunderland Manager Latest: Report links Coventry and Wigan bosses with the Black Cats hotseat

TEAMtalk are claiming exclusively that Mark Robins and Paul Cook are two names at the top of Stewart Donald’s list as he looks for Jack Ross’s replacement at Sunderland manager.

They say that “Sunderland are taking a close look at Coventry City’s Mark Robins”, and “we can reveal that Robins, who is having a fine season with Coventry, is very much under consideration as he is available for a nominal release clause”.

They also claim that Paul Cook, the Wigan manager, is “another who Sunderland admire”, noting that he’s previously been considered for the position and that we could make a renewed attempt to lure him away from the Championship club, and that we’ve already made contact with recently-sacked former Barnsley gaffer Daniel Stendel.

TEAMtalk also allege that club legend Kevin Phillips, Gary Rowett and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink have applied for the role. One thing is for sure - Sunderland will not struggle for applicants, and choosing the perfect man to succeed the outgoing Ross could prove to be a tough decision with so many high-quality applicants on the table.