Roker Roundup: Report claims new Director of Football WILL replace Tony Coton at Sunderland

Park committed to Sunderland

Mark Campbell’s seemingly imminent takeover of Sunderland will herald the arrival of the club’s new director of football, John Park, according to reports north of the border.

Park had been wanted by Celtic, and the Scottish champions had been extremely keen for him to return to the club to replace the recently departed Lee Congerton. However, a report in the Scottish Sun claims Park is fully committed to his impending role at Sunderland.

The report goes on to say that the man who brought the likes of Victor Wanyama and Virgil van Dijk to Celtic is excited by ambitious plans to take Sunderland back to the Premier League.

Daily Record

McManaman signs for Luton

Former Sunderland winger Callum McManaman will sign for League One champions Luton Town once his contract with Wigan Athletic expires at the end of the month.

McManaman left Sunderland on the eve of the season to re-join Wigan Athletic, but he struggled on his return to the DW Stadium, making only one league start and otherwise being restricted to a place on the bench all season.

Speaking to the Hatter’s official website, McManaman said he is looking forward to working with Graeme Jones once again:

I am made up. I am looking forward to pre-season and I can’t wait now, to get back playing and enjoying myself. I am looking forward to meeting all the lads and getting started.

I worked with Graeme Jones for a few years at Wigan. I really enjoyed working with him and he got the best out of me, so hopefully he can do that again.

I have played in the Championship for a while now and played in the Premier League a few years ago under Graeme and Roberto Martinez, so hopefully I can show what I can do again.

Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

New role for Macho

Former Sunderland goalkeeper Jurgen Macho is favourite to take over as goalkeeping coach and academy head of goalkeeping for Rapid Vienna.

According to reports in Austria, Macho is very close to succeeding Helge Payer after his fellow former Austrian international departed the club.

Macho had a short spell as a player at the club a year after leaving Sunderland back in 2003.

photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images