LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Chairman of Sunderland reacts during the on March 14, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around England remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Dear Roker Report,:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25497516/1246898943.jpg)
When the managerial vacancy occurred, my immediate thoughts were for Jermain Defoe to be appointed. He is a wonderful human being and deserves a chance. Even when he was playing, he was giving advice to those around him. Plus, he wants the job. I would bite his hand off. Even if he wants to bring his own team in, they will probably be better than the current staff.
As a Sunderland supporter since 1954, this reminds me of the lost opportunity in the sixties when we could and should have appointed Brian Clough. Don’t make the same mistake with Jermain.
Brian Anderson
Ed’s Note [Chris]: As far as anyone is aware he could well be in the running, since nobody really has a clue what direction we’re heading next. Only time will tell if Defoe turns into the next Clough, but knowing our luck it won’t be with Sunderland if he does.
Dear Roker Report,
Give Kev Phillips a go. Offer him a short-term contract initially with significant add-ons. As has been said previously, he’s no more of a gamble than Will Still, and he understands the club deeply. I can’t help but think back to another Sunderland centre forward who also went on to manage Hartlepool. At the time, he said he would walk over broken glass barefoot to take the Sunderland job—the late, great Brian Clough. The rest, of course, is history!
Come on, Dreyfus, get a grip and show some cojones! Get Phillips in with an experienced assistant if needed.
ff Gray
Dear Roker Report,
Please appoint Kevin Phillips. As Gary Lineker once observed of his savvy England goal, “Not a clonker.” He speaks seriously, he likes the fans, he’s a quiet enthusiast, and the fans admire him. The players would respect him. He is the only candidate worth backing now.
Bill Greenwell
Ed’s Note [Chris]: Stranger things have happened, but being our best goalscorer of the last quarter of a century or so at the club isn’t a guarantee he’d be successful as manager.
