Ally McCoist urges Sunderland to appoint Kieran McKenna 2.0 after Ipswich Town success

According to Ally McCoist, Sunderland are looking for a player similar to Kieran McKenna.

The Black Cats have had a horrible second half of the season, with their promotion ambitions entirely dashed.

Mike Dodds took over as head coach of the Wearside club after Michael Beale’s brief tenure in 1963.

The 37-year-old has been appointed manager of the first-team squad for the duration of the season while the club’s leadership seeks for a permanent replacement.

A new head coach is slated to start in the summer, although no appointment has been made yet.

Ally McCoist highlights head coach need at Sunderland

McCoist identifies the qualities that Sunderland should seek in a permanent replacement for Beale.

He believes the club has the same potential as Ipswich, which has had a tremendous growth under McKenna in recent years.

“Things clearly didn’t work out with Michael Beale and I think Sunderland need their own version of Kieran McKenna at Ipswich – he’s done a phenomenal job there,” stated McCoist in an interview with TalkSPORT BET.

“I look at him and wonder whether there are any other young coaches who could come into Sunderland and galvanise the team.

The Sunderland interim head coach has spoken about the challenges that the 18-year-old faces.

“Someone needs to lead the club forward because the potential is enormous.

“They require a good, youthful, motivated coach with his own ideas who will be supported by the board.

“The supporters are calling out for someone to come in who they can rally behind and lead them to the next level, because they are now stuck in the mud.

“The mood in Sunderland is great.

“I went to the FA Cup game against Newcastle earlier this season and the atmosphere was the best I’ve seen outside of the Old Firm, that is how good it was.”

Sunderland’s managerial search

Sunderland have slumped to 13th in the Championship table in the second half of the season, putting them out of contention for a play-off spot.

During his tenure at the Stadium of Light, Beale oversaw only 12 games, winning four.

Dodds has done no better, supervising six loses, three ties, and two victories in 11 matches.

Sunderland will finish the season with games against Watford and Sheffield Wednesday, which will mark the end of Dodds’ tenure as temporary head coach.

Will Still, Danny Rohl, and Paul Heckingbottom have been connected to Sunderland’s position, but no official appointment is likely until after the season.

Next managerial appointment is crucial for Sunderland

It’s going to be a big summer for Sunderland, and they need to get their next head coach properly.

Key players, including talents like Jack Clarke, Anthony Patterson, and Jobe Bellingham, may depart, making the transfer market highly hectic.

Beale’s appointment was disastrous, especially given Tony Mowbray’s firing, which was also unpopular.

So the club’s hierarchy must pick the appropriate guy for the job; otherwise, supporters would be quick to express their dissatisfaction if the team struggles under the new manager.

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