Sunderland’s lengthy search for a head coach continues with no sign of a breakthrough, 115 days since Mike Dodds was placed in interim charge and Michael Beale’s departure confirmed.
The saga took yet another twist on Wednesday when it emerged that Liam Rosenior was increasingly unlikely to take the role, despite having been installed as the firm favourite following news over the weekend that Pascal Jansen was no longer under consideration. So who are the new favourites for the role and what is the latest with the frontrunners for the vacancy? We run you through the latest, one by one...
![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)
9. 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)
10. 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)
11. 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