Sunderland’s awful season might find stability under newly appointed manager Chris Coleman. The former Fulham gaffer has been appointed following the departure of Simon Grayson from the Stadium of Light. Coleman gave his resignation from the Wales job as he wanted to be back in club football once again. Under his tutelage, Wales emerged as a genuine contender in the European circuit and it remains to be seen how Gareth Bale’s country performs from now on.
Given Sunderland’s situation in the Championship, Coleman knows that he has a mountain to climb if he wants to lift the club out of the relegation zone. The 47-year-old is expected to make some key signings in the January transfer window and is eyeing the next transfer window to rope in some utility players.
Coleman has identified Liverpool keeper Danny Ward in a bid to bring in a quality custodian. Goalkeeping situation hasn’t been good at the Stadium of Light as both Jason Steele and Robbin Ruiter have had their fair share of chances but were not able to do justice with their selections.
A keeper has been the primary target for Coleman and Ward has emerged as a possible arrival at the Wearside club. Sunderland have failed to win their 20th home game since last season and Coleman needs to make some changes in a bid to steady the ship for the rest of the season.
Ward has been the third choice keeper for Liverpool but Jurgen Klopp has juggled between Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius and Ward hasn’t had many chances to show class his worth.
He had a hugely successful season with Huddersfield Town in the Championship last season as he inspired the Terriers to get promotion to the Premier League. Ward started 43 games for David Wagner’s side but had to depart the club at the end of the season as he returned back to his parent club.
It was Coleman who called up Ward in the senior Wales set up as he gave the player a chance to shine in the national colours. Sunderland are languishing at the bottom of the Championship table and they need to upturn things pretty quickly or it would be too late to survive in the second tier.
Coleman is unlikely to get adequate funds to push his recruitment drive, so he can use his connection to accumulate quality players at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland have also been linked with another Liverpool player Ben Woodburn as Coleman is trying to resurrect the Black Cats.
