Sunderland AFC manager latest: Paul Heckingbottom, Jermain Defoe, Mike Dodds | OneFootball

Sunderland are still on the hunt for their next head coach, and news of who some of the potential candidates could be has recently been revealed.

The club's sporting director, Kristjaan Speakman, said at a recent meeting with fans that talks have begun over who will be the club's next head coach, as per the Sunderland Echo.

With that in mind, here's all the latest news surrounding the club's search.

Paul Heckingbottom at the top of the list

Journalist Alan Nixon has reported, via his Patreon, that the former Sheffield United manager is at the top of Sunderland's wanted list. Nixon added: "Heckingbottom is the manager who ticks the boxes if he is willing to work with the current regime and way of doing things.

"Sunderland want to promote young players within a budget and keep some existing staff under the next boss.

"Heckingbottom has been waiting for the right opening since leaving the Blades. He has missed out on some jobs in the last few months. The Wearsiders spoke to Heckingbottom before appointing Michael Beale but it may suit both the club and their target this time."

Last season, the 46-year-old led the Blades to automatic promotion from the Championship. His start to the current campaign ended with him being replaced by former boss Chris Wilder, but he definitely has a proven second tier pedigree.

Jermain Defoe wants to be the next Sunderland manager

The England striker acquired legendary status at the Stadium of Light during his time there at the end of his career. He played 87 games for the club, and he has now revealed that he wants to be the next head coach of the club.

According to The Mirror, the current Tottenham Hotspur under-18s coach has a backroom staff that's ready to make the switch. The 41-year-old said, at the launch of the Jermaine Defoe Academy at East Durham College: "The Sunderland job? Why not? Even when I was a player, I always used to say I'd love to manage this club. If I got an opportunity, I wouldn't shy away from it, so let's go."

The Mirror added that the former striker had turned down a lucrative punditry deal from TNT Sports in order to pursue his coaching career.

Defoe laid out why he should be the next man to take on the job, when asked about what he would say to Speakman. "I hear people talk about needing experience. My experience is working with young players, understanding what they need, and it forces you to coach."

Luke O'Nien issues Mike Dodds verdict

Sunderland have continued to drop down the table since Mike Dodds re-took charge of the side, on an interim basis, after Michael Beale's sacking.

Despite the poor form, interim head coach Dodds will lead Sunderland to the end of the season. O'Nien, the current captain in the absence of club captain Corry Evans, has said that the interim boss is a good person to work for, and that he feels that the players have let him down, especially in their last match against Blackburn Rovers, where they lost 5-1 at home.

"I know people might have perceptions of what they think of Mike Dodds. I think he’s exceptional, I really enjoy working under him," the 29-year-old told the Sunderland Echo.

"I think with time we will get it right but as a group we let him down [against Blackburn]. There’s no beating around the bush, there’s no hiding it. He can give us the tactics, the training was great all week, but if we go out there and don’t do the non-negotiables, which no one can coach, you just do it. You run, you keep the ball, you respect the game. If you don’t do that, you don’t win games.

"A lot of direct criticism will go towards him but as a player myself, I’m taking a lot of accountability for that, it just wasn’t good enough. I know Doddsy, he’s a strong character and he will do the same and set us up in a way. As a player and as a group we have to be far more accountable and take more responsibility for that because that was unacceptable."