CONFIRMED DEAL: Hull City attempted to recruit the “brilliant” star in January, but he was released by the demoted team to officially join Sunderland on a three-year contract. This was revealed in an early Sky Sports report.

Sunderland now ready to ‘make compromises’ to land ‘top’ manager target this summer

A journalist has dropped a huge hint on how Sunderland’s pursuit of their ‘top’ manager target could now pan out.

Sunderland are months into their search for a new manager, while it has now been over two weeks since their season came to an end.

There was the belief that the club could be waiting for the leagues across Europe to finish, with Will Still ending his stint at Reims yesterday with a 2-1 win over Rennes.

The 31-year-old has been the main name on everyone’s lips in recent weeks, but there has been very little indication as to when a new manager would be appointed on Wearside.

It’s ‘clear’ who Sunderland’s ‘top target’ is

However, journalist Michael Graham has now given a fresh update on the pursuit and has offered a massive hint on who the ‘top target’ could be.

After a fan on X asked him if he were targeting Still or Liam Rosenior, Graham wrote: “I think it’s been clear who SAFC’s top choice is for months. Let’s see if they can actually land him.”

He then added: “Sunderland willing to make compromises (not sweeping massive changes) on ‘the model’ for their top target. Let’s see what develops.”

Will Still can bring belief back to Wearside

While not out-right saying it, it seems glaringly obvious that it is Will Still who we are ready to go all in for.

With the French season coming to an end at the weekend, we can surely now see things begin to speed up.

Still previously complained about the transfer policy at Reims, which adopts a similar to one that Sunderland have had over the past couple of years.

But Graham’s X post suggests that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman are prepared to allow Still to have more say in the transfer arrivals and look to more experienced players.

Whether Sunderland get Still or not, making changes to the model is what the club desperately need this summer if they are to get back to where they were during their first season in the Championship.

With football now finished, there is no excuse for the Black Cats not to bring Still in over the coming weeks. If that can happen, then there will be a lot more belief around the Stadium of Light.