Sunderland Set to Confirm Phil Parkinson As Manager
Phil Parkinson is set to be confirmed as the new manager of Sunderland Football Club on Thursday after holding a series of successful meetings with the club over the last few days. Parkinson, has been identified as the best replacement for Jack Ross, who was sacked last week with Sunderland sitting in sixth place in Sky Bet League One.
Although there was strong support for Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth in the Sunderland boardroom because of his impressive work, sources have said that Phil Parkinson edged ahead because he has more experience of managing at big clubs with high expectations in Sky Bet League One.
The former Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers boss has also managed in the Sky Bet Championship and it was felt he would be better equipped to operate at that level should Sunderland return to the second tier.
Parkinson took Colchester United out of Sky Bet League One as a rookie manager and did the same with Bolton Wanderers two years ago. Although he could not manage to lift either Charlton or Bradford City back into the second tier, however he did take Bradford City to the 2012 League Cup Final and won promotion from Sky Bet League Two.
The former Reading midfielder resigned as Bolton Wanderers manager earlier this year, but earned plenty of admiration for the way he managed the team during a financial crisis that took the club to the brink of folding before new buyers were found. Sunderland owner Stewart Donald is still looking to find someone to either buy or invest in the club, but for now the focus will be on making sure they do not spend a third season in the third tier.
Chadwick Media 