Mackems begin managerial shortlist

SUNDERLAND yesterday started the process of drawing up a shortlist of candidates to succeed Roy Keane.

The business of whittling down a list of more than 30 serious applicants was on the agenda for the board’s monthly meeting, although no hard and fast decisions were expected.

Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn and his fellow directors, with the input of American investor Ellis Short, are gradually reducing the options to a point where they can start to identify genuine contenders. However, there is unlikely to be any swift appointment ahead of tomorrow’s vital Premier League clash with West Brom, with club hierarchy aware of the need for caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia to prepare for the Baggies with no distractions.

Former Bolton and Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is favourite for the post but Gerard Houllier is now being tipped, while former Sunderland striker and current assistant at Rangers, Ally McCoist, is quoted at 14/1.

While the club is saying nothing publicly, there is growing speculation the Black Cats are not limiting themselves to men with proven track records in English football.

Much is being made currently of Short’s apparent desire to take a wider perspective, and the appointment of Chris Woerts as international business development director.

Steve McClaren and Co Adriaanse, the Dutch coach of Austrian’s Salzburg, like home-grown Hull boss Phil Brown and Thailand coach Peter Reid, have already ruled themselves out of the race to succeed Keane.

Meanwhile Blackpool have signed experienced former Ireland defender Ian Harte. The 31-year-old, without a club since leaving Sunderland in June, has signed a month-to-month deal with the Championship outfit and could face Notts Forest tomorrow.