JUST IN: A surprising front-runner for the next Sunderland manager position has emerged in the form of a former Newcastle United captain.

Scott Parker has been without a job since his departure from Club Brugge last season.

Former Newcastle United captain Scott Parker has emerged as the leading contender according to bookmakers to take over from Michael Beale at Sunderland.

Sunderland made the decision to part ways with Beale after just 12 games last week, with a heavy defeat to Newcastle early in his tenure hinting at his eventual fate. The final blow came with a 1-0 loss to Huddersfield Town, prompting a rethink from Sunderland’s management, who had faced criticism for the previous sacking of Tony Mowbray in December. The weekend did not bring an immediate turnaround, as Sunderland suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea City, leaving them eight points adrift of the playoff positions.

Talk of Sunderland’s next managerial appointment had quieted down, but bookmakers are now tipping a surprising front-runner. Scott Parker, who has been without a job since his departure from Club Brugge last season, has taken the lead in the race. His most recent stint in English football was at Bournemouth, where he was dismissed just four games into the 2022-23 campaign after guiding them to promotion. Parker also achieved success as the manager of Fulham, winning the Championship play-off final in 2020.

However, Parker’s previous ties to Newcastle could pose a challenge for Sunderland supporters. Despite spending two years at Newcastle during the mid-2000s and even captaining the team after Alan Shearer’s retirement, crossing the Newcastle-Sunderland divide may not sit well with some fans.

Nevertheless, Parker is currently priced at 7/4 by some bookmakers, ahead of other contenders like Frank Lampard (2/1), Will Still (3/1), and Paul Heckingbottam (7/2).