Former USA boss Bob Bradley emerges as shock Sunderland job contender
FORMER USA coach Bob Bradley has emerged as a shock contender for the Sunderland job.
Posted Wednesday, October 07, 2015 by Dailystar.co.uk
ALL AMERICAN: Bradley could join compatriot Short at Sunderland
With No. 1 choice Sam Allardyce tipped to snub any fresh approach from the crisis-hit Black Cats, chairman Ellis Short is hunting for a manager who can save their Premier League skins.
And he could turn to fellow American Bradley, currently coaching Stabaek in Norway after stints in charge of the United States national team and Egypt.
He has transformed the fortunes of his club, who are challenging for the title just two years after winning promotion.
With Big Sam and Burnley boss Sean Dyche distancing themselves from the vacancy, Short is under mounting pressure to find a successor to Dick Advocaat.
And today Short came under attack from former Sunderland boss Roy Keane while Harry Redknapp has written off the club's survival prospects labelling the current team "horrendous".
But despite the magnitude of the task at the Stadium of Light, Bradley has let the Sunderland hierarchy know he's interested in taking over.
WALKED OUT: Advocaat quit
The 57-year-old, who was in charge of the USA when they drew with England at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, has been keen to manage in this country for several years.
He became the first American to coach in Europe when Stabaek appointed him and is now looking to create another first.
With so many potential candidates put off by Sunderland's league position or by Short's reputation for hiring and firing managers, the billionaire owner does not have too many options.
Former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson is available but does not currently have strong support in the boardroom.
Keane was the first Sunderland boss to fall out with Short after the Texan succeeded Niall Quinn as chairman.
And the former Manchester United skipper claims he might still be in the Sunderland hotseat had he been able to manage without interference.
Revealing he wasn't surprised that the Black Cats are looking for their seventh manager since he left in 2008, he added: "It's Sunderland, isn't it?
"It's a brilliant club, but I don't know, I really can't comment on why different managers have left or have been sacked.
"But people in the background probably need to have a good look at themselves."
Speaking ahead of the Republic of Ireland's Euro qualifier against world champions Germany tomorrow, Martin O'Neill's No. 2 added: "If they'd let me alone, I'd probably still be there now and I wouldn't be having to chat to you."
Meanwhile, Redknapp, also linked with the job, has given Sunderland's survival prospects a big thumbs down.
He said: "I saw them play at Bournemouth and they were an absolute disaster. Whoever takes it has got a tough job on their hands.
"They're poor at the back and the centre halves are not good enough. They were short everywhere when I saw them, there's a lot of work to be done."
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