Sunderland AFC manager latest: Kristjaan Speakman issue, Liam Rosenior news, Marti Cifuentes obstacle | OneFootball

The Black Cats had a rather up-and-down 2023/24 campaign and will be looking to improve on their 16th-placed finish next season. It is yet to be known who will be overseeing the side for the 2024/25 season, but what we do know is that the current Sunderland squad is full of promising talent.

Tony Mowbray started last season in charge but was dismissed by December with the club sitting in 9th place. Sunderland then appointed Michael Beale, but his tenure was rather forgettable, as he oversaw just 12 games, of which he won four.

Beale was then sacked, and interim manager Mike Dodds took over from February onwards but could only steer them to a 16th-place finish. The Black Cats will certainly be looking for more consistency on the pitch and in the dugout next season, so their next appointment is absolutely crucial if they hope to be challenging for the play-offs.

A whole array of names have been loosely linked with the vacant Sunderland job over the last few weeks, but according to a report from Alan Nixon last week, the club have whittled it down to three names - Pascal Jansen, Dave Challinor, and Stephen Robinson.

However, developments have since arisen which suggest it may not be either of those three men. Former AZ Alkmaar boss, Pascal Jansen, is no longer in the running, as per journalist, James Copley, so the Black Cats are turning their attention elsewhere.

Sunderland supporters remain in eager anticipation to find out their next manager and will be slightly frustrated by the delay, but if it means that they reach the play-offs next season, then it will certainly be worth the wait.

Football League World rounds up the latest headlines surrounding the vacant role at the Stadium of Light.

Reservations about Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman

According to journalist, Michael Graham, the reason for the huge delay in the appointment is that there are reservations about working with Sunderland's sporting director, Kristjaan Speakman.

Speakman was subjected to a large amount of criticism last season due to his lead on recruitment, as the Sunderland squad hugely lacks experience and maturity, despite the obvious talent. The lack of an experienced striker last season really cost them and was one of the main causes for their poor performance.

This is now becoming a bigger issue as certain managerial candidates allegedly hold reservations about working with him next season. The recruitment last season largely focused on signing young talents that can be developed and sold for profit but if the Black Cats are hoping for success next season, they must take a different approach and sign some experienced pros.

Sunderland in talks with Liam Rosenior

According to journalist, Alan Nixon, the Black Cats are set to hold further talks with former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior regarding the vacant managerial role.

The 39-year-old has supposedly been on Sunderland's radar since the end of last season but is now set for further discussions as the club weigh up their options.

Rosenior spent the last two seasons at Hull, which almost culminated in a play-off finish in the Championship, but they fell short and ended the campaign in seventh place. Despite a strong finish, he was sacked, to the surprise of many, and he is now on the lookout for a new role.

Sunderland would be lucky to have Rosenior standing in their dugout next season. Last season, he was one of the most promising young managers in the EFL and showed impressive qualities. His experience over the last few years with Hull and Derby County puts him in good stead for the Sunderland job.

Sunderland will have to pay a fee for QPR's Cifuentes

Nixon has also reported that the Black Cats would have to pay a hefty fee if they were to appoint QPR boss Marti Cifuentes.

It is no surprise that Sunderland are considering the Spaniard as he has made a grand impression in such a short amount of time after being appointed in October 2023. The R's looked destined for relegation but he managed to steady the ship with some huge results, meaning they finished in a respectable 18th place.

Nixon revealed that QPR would demand a six-figure fee in compensation if they were to allow their boss to leave this summer, leaving Sunderland with a big decision to make.