Sunderland are being linked with former Mainz boss Bo Svensson

Sunderland are being linked with a move for Bo Svensson as they continue their search for a new manager, according to a report in The Sun.

Sunderland are apparently interested in luring the former Bundesliga boss to England as they search for a permanent replacement for Michael Beale ahead of next season. Mike Dodds ended last campaign in caretaker charge as the Black Cats finished a disappointing 16th in the table.

Svensson, 44, has been out of the dugout since leaving Mainz last November and has been weighing up his options ever since. He left by mutual consent after his previous club went nine games without a win at the start of this past term.

According to The Sun, he has appeared on Sunderland’s radar and could be ‘lining up’ a move for him in the near future. Will Still and Paul Heckingbottom were also in the frame for the vacant Stadium of Light job.

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Sunderland eye the new boss

Sunderland need to get their next managerial appointment right as they seek promotion next year.

Svensson is certainly a candidate from the left and some may question his lack of experience in England. However, despite his time there ending in disappointment, he did a decent job overall at Mainz and may now want to test himself in a new league.

He spent his playing days as a centre-back with the likes of FC Copenhagen, Borussia Monchengladbach and Mainz before hanging up his boots in 2014.

The Dane began his coaching career with the latter in their youth set-up before landing the top job at FC Liefering in the Austrian second division, which is a feeder club of Red Bull Salzburg.

Svensson spent just under two years with them and guided them to 3rd place. They were then 2nd when Mainz lured him back to the Mewa Arena in January 2021.

They were in the drop zone when he joined and turned their fortunes around to help them avoid relegation to the Bundesliga.2.

Mainz finished 9th last term and were contenders for the Europa Conference League before losing out.

Sunderland decision to make

Sunderland could find their manager sooner rather than later so they can start planning properly for the future.

Svensson has an interesting CV and has worked solidly with Mainz in Germany. Time will tell if the Black Cats end up snapping him up, but links suggest they are also looking overseas in their recruitment process.