Wigan Athletic deny Sunderland have approached manager Paul Cook | OneFootball

Various reports out of England stated that Sunderland had been given permission by Wigan to discuss the vacant manager position with Latics boss Paul Cook.

Though Cook remains one of the bookies’ favourites to land the job, Wigan chief executive Jonathan Jackson confirmed that no such permission had been granted as of yet.

“No club have been given permission to speak to our manager. A few clubs are looking for managers at the moment and we have to respect their privacy.”

Former Bolton Wanderers manager Phil Parkinson, who is currently a free agent, is still the heavy favourite to land the job, while Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth is also on Sunderland’s alleged two-man shortlist.

Parkinson has a wealth of experience in League One and has earned three promotions in his career, including two in England’s third-flight with Colchester United in 2006 and Bolton in 2017.