Former Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is the ‘leading candidate’ to be the new manager of Sunderland, according to the Daily Star.
Championship side Sunderland are currently looking for a new boss following David Moyes’ resignation and are also set to get new owners this summer. With just over a month to go until the start of the season, Sunderland may have to act fast if they are to mount a serious promotion challenge this year.
Former Arsenal and England defender Tony Adams’ consortium are currently trying to take over Sunderland and it is understood that they would appoint Alan Pardew. The consortium are reportedly aware that the appointment would be very controversial, but Pardew is their first choice.
Pardew was in charge at Newcastle for four years, between 2010 and 2014. During this time, he won the Premier League Manager of the Season Award and took the club to the Europa League. He was then awarded an eight-year contract by the club but left for Crystal Palace in January 2015 after a disappointing run of results.
After almost two years in charge of Crystal Palace, Pardew was sacked in December 2016. He has been out of the game since then, but could return next season in the Championship with Sunderland if Tony Adams and his consortium complete their takeover of the club.
A German consortium is also interested in taking over at Sunderland, so Pardew’s appointment is anything but sealed. If he is appointed however, depending on how the fans take to him, Pardew could be the man to lead Sunderland back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.