Sources: Grant McCann set to be appointed new Sunderland manager after Roy Keane pulls out
Grant McCann is set to be appointed the new Sunderland manager after Roy Keane pulled out of the race, Football Insider understands.
The 41-year-old has twice been interviewed by the north-east giants for the vacant post.
A Sunderland source has told Football Insider that McCann has been offered the job and he has indicated he will accept it.
Negotiations are now at an advanced stage.
The Black Cats were in talks with Roy Keane over a return to the Stadium of Light but negotiations fell through in the last 24 hours.
The news has come as a shock to the club’s fans, who were largely in favour of the ex-Manchester United captain’s appointment.
The League One club have since focused their attention on McCann, who was on a shortlist of candidates along with ex-Preston manager Alex Neil.
McCann has been out of work since his dismissal from Hull City at the end of January.
The Northern Irishman led the Tigers to promotion from League One last season.
Sunderland’s board hope he can achieve the same feat at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats’ bid to secure automatic promotion has faltered in recent weeks.
A 6-0 loss at Bolton, which led to the sacking of previous manager Lee Johnson, has been followed by defeats to Doncaster Rovers and Cheltenham Town.
The Wearside club want to have their new manager in place ahead of Saturday’s trip to AFC Wimbledon.
In other news, one of Sunderland’s January signings has been tipped to dazzle after ex-teammate’s ‘massive’ dressing room claim.