Former Sunderland striker expresses interest in becoming manager

The former Sheffield United manager is reportedly Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ top choice for the open manager position, and according to other reports, Heckingbottom would be keen to lead Sunderland.

Sunderland has shortlisted Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl in another development.

Steve Cooper and Will Still are still in the news.

Ex-Sunders player expresses interest in the position

Now though, a former fan favourite at Sunderland has thrown his hat in the ring, Jermain Defoe.

The now 41-year-old scored 37 goals in 100 total appearances for the Black Cats.

He played for the club between 2015 and 2017 and then again for a brief period in 2022 when Sunderland were in League One.

Defoe is studying for his UEFA A and Pro license after obtaining his UEFA B license last year.

And speaking now to We Are Sunderland, Defoe has revealed his interest in one day managing Sunderland.

He said when asked about the job:

“Why not. Even when I was a player, I always used to say I’d love to manage this club. I don’t know if other players are like that, if other players have a relationship with fans and a club and think they’d love to manage this club.”

Defoe later added:

“But if I got a phone call from Kristjaan [Speakman] or Kyril [Louis-Dreyfus], get me my suit, get me my whistle and let’s go and win games. It’s as simple as that. These are my people. I know.”

Defoe recently opened a football academy on Durham, potentially strengthening his ties to Sunderland and the north-east.

Jermain Defoe declares interest in Sunderland job

Defoe is a well-liked character, not only at Sunderland, but seemingly with every club he represented.

And it looks like he’s certainly keen on one day becoming a manager, but right now he’s lacking experience.

He’s worked with Spurs in their academy before and so he’s making his initial steps, but his first step into management should arguably be with a club much further down the pyramid than Sunderland.

The Black Cats have huge ambitions and huge potential.

Not only that but the owners need to really nail this next appointment and so it looks set to be a big name, an experienced name or at least a favoured name among fans.

Heckingbottom and Still seem to be the two most-wanted candidates among fans right now, Still perhaps more so.

Whilst Defoe is a legend on Wearside, there’d be huge doubts about his ability as a manager if he were, on what seems to be a very rare chance, handed the Sunderland job.

But Defoe certainly seems to be a former football to keep an eye on in management.