Sunderland’s search for a head coach is continuing, with no resolution found two weeks to the day since Kyril Louis-Dreyfus said he hoped a decision was ‘imminent’.
It has been a testing time for supporters as a number of contenders have come into and then dropped out of the race. Here’s the latest runners and riders and how they’re being judged by the bookies, as well as our own input on how things are playing out and what might happen next...
![Sunderland are known to be big admirers and the Rosenior developments last week moved him firmly into the spotlight. The big questions remain: Is he prepared to leave QPR and more to the point, are Sunderland prepared to stump up the compensation to make it happen? One to watch closely as the interest is there from Sunderland's part. Is he the man Sunderland are currently focused on, or is there another candidate whose name has so far not got into the public domain? This one appears more unlikely the more time goes on.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/11/14/46/GettyImages-2064049668%20%281%29.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
9. Marti Cifuentes - 11/2
Sunderland are known to be big admirers and the Rosenior developments last week moved him firmly into the spotlight. The big questions remain: Is he prepared to leave QPR and more to the point, are Sunderland prepared to stump up the compensation to make it happen? One to watch closely as the interest is there from Sunderland's part. Is he the man Sunderland are currently focused on, or is there another candidate whose name has so far not got into the public domain? This one appears more unlikely the more time goes on. | Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images
![Came into the betting following his departure from Maccabi Tel-Aviv and amid reports he'd been interested in the role, but no indication yet of any actual interest from Sunderland and appears highly unlikely.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/07/9/07/GettyImages-1259126732.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
10. Robbie Keane - 11/2
Came into the betting following his departure from Maccabi Tel-Aviv and amid reports he'd been interested in the role, but no indication yet of any actual interest from Sunderland and appears highly unlikely. | AFP via Getty ImagesPhoto: Getty Images
![Huge movement last Friday amid persistent rumours that he was close to job. That wasn't the case, with club sources making clear that he had not been under consideration. Had been keen on the Burnley job and was firmly in the running, but reports on Thursday said he was out of that race as the process heads toward a conclusion. Unlikely to have any impact on Sunderland's search given that no significant talks have happened to date, though in theory that could change if the Black Cats were unable to land their current target. That's very much a long shot, though.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmJjYjUwMTQwLTczMWQtNDVhNC04NTA3LTMyMDUwNzgyYmNjZTo5YTMxZjAzNi05ZDE3LTRiMTEtOThlYy0xNzY0MjZmMjU4ZTA=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
11. Frank Lampard - 3/1
Huge movement last Friday amid persistent rumours that he was close to job. That wasn't the case, with club sources making clear that he had not been under consideration. Had been keen on the Burnley job and was firmly in the running, but reports on Thursday said he was out of that race as the process heads toward a conclusion. Unlikely to have any impact on Sunderland's search given that no significant talks have happened to date, though in theory that could change if the Black Cats were unable to land their current target. That's very much a long shot, though. | Getty ImagesPhoto: Warren Little
![Now the favourite. Currently boss of FC Lorient, who have just been relegated from Ligue 1 but had a strong 10th-place finish under Le Bris the previous campaign. Odds have shortened again overnight amid reports from France that he is on the brink of leaving his role at Lorient. Currently the candidate Sunderland are working towards appointing, though the deal with his current club is not yet done.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjM0NGIxMWRiLTA4MjItNDNmYy1hYzE1LTczMTQ4M2Q4ZDM2MDpjZDVhM2QwNi0yMGM0LTQxZWUtOWVlMi1hMThkNzQxN2I4ZTY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
12. Regis Le Bris - 9/4
Now the favourite. Currently boss of FC Lorient, who have just been relegated from Ligue 1 but had a strong 10th-place finish under Le Bris the previous campaign. Odds have shortened again overnight amid reports from France that he is on the brink of leaving his role at Lorient. Currently the candidate Sunderland are working towards appointing, though the deal with his current club is not yet done. | Getty Images Photo: LOIC VENANCE