Sunderland were relegated from the top flight in the last term following their dismal performance in the Premier League. From the look of the things at the moment, it seems that they might not be able to stay in the second tier as well, by the end of this season.
16 matches down the line, the Black Cats are currently standing at the bottom of the league table in the Championship and are looking straight in the eye of a possible relegation, that will push them down into the next tier. This has already taken its toll on their new manager Simon Grayson, who was sacked, after only 15 matches in charge of the Wearside club.
Grayson was appointed at the start of the season and after the departure of their former manager David Moyes. Good things were expected of him but the 47-year-old could not live up to the expectations of the Sunderland fans as well as the club authority, who were compelled to sack him.
The Black Cats are currently in absolute dire straits in the Championship this season with only a solitary win to their credit so far and are searching for the right man to guide them out of the danger zone and save their season. A number of names of names are doing the rounds and reports suggest tat they are considering ex-Middlesbrough gaffer Aitor Karanka to the best fit for the role.
The 44-year-old has been a known face in the Championship following his reign at Boro, which led them to the Premier League in 2016/17 season after a long gap of seven years. However, the glory was short lived as Middlesbrough were once again demoted to the second tier at the end of the last term, given their dismal performance in the top flight. He was eventually sacked in March 2017 and was replaced by former Leeds United manager Gary Monk.
The manager is known for his ability to take quickfire decisions to change the course of the game and might be a good option to lead the Black Cats out of their horrendous situation in the Championship. The 44-year-old also has the experience of managing one of the biggest clubs in the history of European football, Real Madrid, as an assistant coach.
Sunderland have a number of options in their hands. Apart from Aitor Karanka, former Manchester United and Sunderland defender John O’Shea, who has zero exposure to managing a club, has the odds in his favour for the top job at the Wearside club.
Karanka has a decent CV but is he the right man for the job?
