Paul Heckingbottom in the running for Championship job

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Sunderland are considering Paul Heckingbottom and Steve Cooper for their vacant managerial position. The club have parted ways with Michael Beale following their 2-1 away defeat against Birmingham City over the weekend.

As the Black Cats aim for a spot in the Championship play-offs, they have appointed Mike Dodds as their caretaker boss until the end of the season. According to TEAMtalk, Heckingbottom and Cooper are being considered as potential permanent replacements for the summer by the North East outfit.

At 46 years old, Heckingbottom previously led Sheffield United to promotion to the Premier League last year, boasting a 50% win rate during his tenure with the Blades. However, he departed Bramall Lane in December following a string of poor results and has been assessing his options since then. With past managerial stints at clubs such as Barnsley, Leeds United, and Hibernian, Heckingbottom is currently available for a new opportunity.

In a parallel situation to Heckingbottom, Cooper also faced dismissal in December and is currently evaluating his options for the future.

Sunderland currently occupies 10th position in the Championship table, trailing the top six by four points. With 13 games remaining in the season, they still have an opportunity to push for a playoff spot.

Their upcoming fixture sees them facing Swansea at home, providing an opportunity for Sunderland to bounce back and secure a crucial victory.