The 44-year-old has been out of work since leaving German club Mainz in November last year, his second job as a head coach following a spell at Austrian club FC Liefering. It was reported earlier this month that Svensson was a ‘shock candidate’ for the Sunderland job, with The Sun reporting the Dane was on the Black Cats’ shortlist.

However, Svensson is set to join Union Berlin in the Bundesliga this week after it was revealed days ago that the head coach was in discussions with managing director Horst Heldt. Sky Germany are now reporting that Svensson to Union Berlin is a “done deal” and that an announcement is set to me made this week.

Sunderland are still searching for a new head coach after parting company with Michael Beale in February when Mike Dodds was named interim boss until the end of the 202-24 season.