Football
ESPN staff 8y

Sunderland could move for Sean Dyche if Sam Allardyce leaves - sources

Sunderland are lining up a move for Burnley boss Sean Dyche should Sam Allardyce be named the new England manager, sources close to the club have told ESPN FC.

Sunderland confirmed earlier on Wednesday that they had given Allardyce permission to hold talks with the Football Association as the governing body seeks a replacement for Roy Hodgson. 

Allardyce flew back to England from Sunderland's preseason training camp in Austria on Tuesday and met with FA vice-chairman David Gill, FA technical director Dan Ashworth and chief executive Martin Glenn.

The 61-year-old is now regarded as the favourite to take over following Hodgson's resignation in the wake of their Euro 2016 round-of-16 exit at the hands of Iceland last month.

Sunderland are reluctant to lose Allardyce, who steered the club to Premier League safety after replacing Dick Advocaat as manager in October, but are aware the former Bolton and Blackburn manager will leave if he is offered the England role.

Sunderland are now drawing up a shortlist of potential replacements and sources have told ESPN FC that Dyche, who was linked with the job last year, is a leading candidate.

Dyche has admirers at Sunderland after twice guiding Burnley to promotion to the Premier League on a shoestring budget, although the Clarets are likely to put up a fight to keep the former Watford boss.

^ Back to Top ^