"He's been speaking to other clubs" - Pundit reacts to Sunderland, Paul Heckingbottom saga | OneFootball

Sunderland's search for Michael Beale's successor is continuing, with a plethora of names being linked to the vacancy at the Stadium of Light.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, results have been below-par for some time now, echoed by Saturday's goalless draw at home to Bristol City, which leaves the Black Cats on 52 points in 13th place - a far cry from the club's ambitions of a return to the Premier League.

Therefore, it's paramount that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman are able to nail down one of their top targets with the 2023/24 season reaching its conclusion, giving whoever takes charge more than ample time to set their stall out on Wearside.

One of those linked with the job comes in the form of Paul Heckingbottom, who has been away from the dugout since his departure from Sheffield United in early December following a slow start to the Blades' Premier League campaign amid off-field uncertainty,

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, former England defender Carlton Palmer was full of admiration for the 46-year-old given his prior achievements at Bramall Lane.

"Paul Heckingbottom has been heavily linked with the Sunderland job. As everybody knows, I'm a big admirer of him," Palmer began.

"He did a fantastic job at Sheffield United, and I thought he was very unfortunate to get the sack. I know some of the fans were divisive over him, but I live in Sheffield and the job he did, to get promotion in the manner that he did, was exceptional.

"He was then hampered by the owners, who didn't give him the money to improve the squad and he had to sell his two best players (Ndiaye and Berge), and then wasn't able to keep the players that he wanted to, so it was very difficult for him," he added.

The pundit believes that Heckingbottom shouldn't be viewed as an easy option by the Black Cats hierarchy, who may be creating their own problems in the hunt for the 46-year-old's services, with the Sun reporting that he may only be allowed to bring one member of his management team to the club, if appointed.

"Sunderland are a club that are looking at him. Make no mistake, it's not a cheap option even though he's available on a free.

"The problem is that whilst he wants to get back into work, if he's not allowed to do the job the way he wants to, it creates an issue," Palmer continued.

"The fact that Sunderland are saying that the manager who comes in has to work under those conditions is making things difficult for themselves. It makes it difficult to bring in senior players and not bring in his own staff. It's going to put off a lot of managers who want to do things their own way.

"Paul Heckingbottom would be a good appointment, and he should be allowed to bring the members of his team that he wants to bring in. Of course, they want to keep good staff members who are already at the football club, but the manager should be allowed to make those decisions.

Sunderland are creating their own problems

This situation will no doubt frustrate Sunderland supporters, as the club are potentially creating their own problems when it comes to the dugout once again.

After what has been an unstable season, a manager such as Heckingbottom would bring stability back to the football club, plus the added knowhow of making the side a competitive force at the top end of the Championship.

However, having previously worked through a tough environment in the Steel City prior to his departure, would Heckingbottom want to further risk his own reputation if the club aren't willing to let him bring in his own management team?

The former Barnsley boss isn't the only name touted, but as Palmer said, if reports are to be believed, Sunderland are playing a risky game which could turn the heads of many targets.