A manager linked to Sunderland earlier this season may now be in line for a top European job this summer.
Sunderland sacked Michael Beale back in February.
And since then, fans have been waiting for the season to end, and for Sunderland to appoint a new manager.
There’s been plenty of names linked; Will Still, Paul Heckingbottom, and Danny Rohl to name a few.
But as things stand, there doesn’t seem to be a clear front-runner.
Heckingbottom is the no.1 choice, reportedly, among the Sunderland owners, though very little has been said about the former Sheffield United and Leeds United boss since then.
Sunderland chances of hiring Rohl seem to have taken a hit with Sheffield Wednesday now looking set to beat the drop.
Still meanwhile is coming under pressure at Reims following three-straight defeats.
Another linked soon after Beale’s exit after just 12 games was Polish coach Marek Papszun, who is famed for taking Polish outfit Rakow from the fourth tier all the way to the top division, which he eventually won.
Sunderland linked boss Marek Papszun watches top flight clash
Back in February, reports emerged revealing that Papszun was keen on talking to Sunderland with regards to replacing Beale in the summer.
Though very little has been said about the 49-year-old since.
There were rumours that he could return to Rakow following a tough spell since his departure last summer, but it now looks like he could be heading to Greece.
Reports from Polish outlet goal PL have now revealed that Papszun attended the game between Greek giants AEK and Panathinaikos last month, and that it ‘was not a random visit’.
Papszun then may well be eyeing a move to Greece, possibly with Panathinaikos who currently sit in 3rd in what is a disappointing finish under current boss Fatih Terim.
Who will Sunderland hire as their next manager
Papszun now seems to be out of the picture.
His name hasn’t been mentioned in a while, and if anything, it seemed like he himself was pushing the link more than anyone.
Though he’s still a well-regarded coach in Europe and a job in the Greek top flight could be the ideal next step for him.
As for Sunderland, the summer is rapidly approaching now, and with no clear, out and out front-runner for the job, fans may be fearing that the club’s next appointment could drag on well into the summer.
If that happens then it’ll no doubt set the club behind in their pre-season preparations.
Still seems like the favourable candidate; the fact that Sunderland haven’t hired the out-of-work Heckingbottom already suggests that he’s not the no.1 target.
Sunderland finish their season with a home game vs Rohl’s Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.