According to report, Sunderland has put the former Sheffield United manager “at the top” of their managerial want list.

Alan Nixon says that Paul Heckingbottom has been identified by Sunderland as a genuine candidate for manager come summertime.
To take over from Michael Beale, Sunderland is now searching for a new permanent manager.

At the Stadium of Light, Mike Dodds has been acting as caretaker recently.

As the Black Cats consider their alternatives, Heckingbottom is “top” on the team’s wish list, according to reporter Nixon on his Patreon page.

Sunderland is considering hiring the former Sheffield United manager, who they believe can lead them into the upcoming campaign. The Black Cats’ season has been poor, and they are currently 13 points outside of the Championship play-offs.

Heckingbottom’s last team, Sheffield United, was promoted automatically to the Premier League last year, so he knows what it takes to get promoted from the league.

The 46-year-old spent spells as a player for Bradford City, Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, and Sunderland during his playing career.

In 2012, he hung up his boots and joined the latter as a manager.

During his tenure as the dugout at Oakwell, Heckingbottom won both the EFL Trophy and the League One play-offs.

Though his time at Bramall Lane ended with his dismissal in December of last year, he went on to have unsuccessful spells at Leeds United and Hibernian. Nevertheless, he restored his reputation during his final spell at Sheffield United.

Since then, the Barnsley native has been weighing his options, and the Sunderland opening may present him with a chance to return to the game later in the year.

They hope to build on their 2-0 away victory at Cardiff City on Friday as they return to action at home against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow.