Sources: Alex Neil to be appointed Sunderland manager on short-term deal
Sunderland are set to appoint Alex Neil as their new manager, Football Insider understands.
He has leapfrogged above Grant McCann even though he impressed in two separate interviews.
A Sunderland source has told Football Insider Neil will sign an initial contract until the end of the season.
He will have 15 games to try and earn the Black Cats promotion from League One or they will face a fifth consecutive season in the third-tier.
Neil has emerged as the preferred candidate of the club’s hierarchy after Roy Keane pulled out of the process earlier today.
The Scot has been out of work for just almost a year after being sacked by Preston North End in March 2021.
He enjoyed a successful spell at Deepdale overperforming on a tight budget but form dipped after key players Ben Davies, Ben Pearson and Darnell Fisher were sold in January last year.
Sunderland have been managerless since Lee Johnson was sacked following the 6-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers last month (29 January).
They have followed that up with consecutive defeats that leave them in fourth, two points behind the top two who both have games in hand.
Neil could be in charge for Saturday’s (12 February) crucial game away at AFC Wimbledon.
The 40-year-old already has two promotions on his managerial CV and will be looking to add a third at the Stadium of Light.
In other news, one of Sunderland’s January signings has been tipped to dazzle after ex-teammate’s ‘massive’ dressing room claim.