Sunderland are edging closer to finding a replacement for head coach Tony Mowbray after entering into detailed discussions with former Rangers boss Michael Beale.
The PA news agency understands the 43-year-old, who had a spell in charge at QPR before heading north of the border, is in talks with the Black Cats over the vacancy.
They have spoken to a series of potential candidates – with Reims boss Will Still prominent among them – since Mowbray’s departure earlier this month, but appear to have made ground with Beale amid suggestions he could watch Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture at Bristol City from the stands.
Beale has been out of the game since leaving Ibrox, where he served as Steven Gerrard’s assistant when they won the Premiership title in 2020-21 and had 10 months in charge himself, in October.
Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman have led the search for Mowbray’s replacement as they attempt to recruit the man they want to implement their blueprint for lasting success on Wearside.
Interim boss Michael Dodds has done his reputation little harm having overseen successive victories over West Brom and Leeds, and he will be in the dugout once again at Ashton Gate.
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