Next Sunderland manager: Dramatic twist as TWO contenders break silence

Speaking to the Southend Echo, Cowley - when asked if he’d be keen to take charge – said “Sure. Sunderland are a huge football club with a wonderful history. For whatever reason they find themselves in League One but we will just have to wait and see.”

Cowley has been out of work since leaving Championship club Huddersfield Town in July.

He added: "We love football and of course we miss football.

“We’re some enjoying some time off and it’s been a really good opportunity for us to go away and study.

“We’re continuing to try and improve and we’re working on our pro licence at the moment.

“We’re trying to make the most of this time.”

Sunderland are looking for a new manager after Phil Parkinson was sacked.

Gus Poyet was quickly installed as the early favourite when Phil Parkinson was sacked on Sunday afternoon and it is known Poyet would be keen on a return to Sunderland one day.

Other names in the frame include Paul Cook, Cowley, Nigel Pearson, with Lee Johnson and Daniel Stendel also high up in the betting.

Poyet, who left Sunderland in 2015, has previously said he’d be open to a return one day.

In recent weeks – prior to Parkinson’s dismissal - he told the ‘Speaking Sunderland’ podcast: “Could I return? Yes, of course,” said Poyet.

mbley Stadium which they won 1-0.

Cowley also took Lincoln up as League One champions, returning the club to the third tier of English football for the first time since 1999.

Following their success, the pair were hired by Championship club Huddersfield Town but was sacked two days after avoiding relegation to the third tier.

Meanwhile, Paul Cook has broken his silence on the vacant Sunderland job, praising Black Cats supporters in the process.

Cook – now 2/1 on to be the club’s next permanent manager with SkyBet – spoke about the situation and Sunderland just days after Parkinson had been sacked on the Totally Football League Show.

“The brutal reality of it is you have to be promoted, you must win football games,” Cook explained.

“Because, you know, and you guys will see it close hand, everyone speaks about plans and philosophies and giving the new manager time. Normally by the time the press have left the car park that day, you’re under the microscope right away.

“That’s just football today. I felt that in a sense when I managed Portsmouth. The problem, again, for managers that go into these clubs is that the supporters, in general, are that used to seeing big names, big players. full stadiums, winning football.”