David Moyes’ resignation at Sunderland last week came as no real surprise to anyone.
The Black Cats suffered a horrible season in the Premier League, finishing rock bottom, and consequently getting relegated to the Sky Bet Championship.
The search for a new manager at the Stadium of Light has well and truly begun, and one name being linked with a move there is Preston North End manager Simon Grayson.
Grayson has done an excellent job at Deepdale, helping cement Preston’s place in the Championship following promotion from Sky Bet League One in 2014/14.
And the Lancashire Evening Post has today (May 30) reported that his name is in the hat to take over at Sunderland.
The latest odds on the former Leeds United man to take the helm at Sunderland are 8/1, making him third favourite behind Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes and Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough.
But what may stand Grayson apart from the rest of the candidates is his history at securing promotions in the English Football League.
Albeit he has never earned a promotion from the Sky Bet Championship, but he certainly knows what a promotion season feels like.
Simon Grayson has been promoted from the third tier of English football four times, with four different clubs.
These clubs are Blackpool, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Preston North End.
The skills of mounting a promotion push are transferable, and given the correct resources, there is no reason that Grayson could not lead a team to the Premier League.
Preston North End will be desperate to keep hold of their manager, as they aim to challenge the top six in the Sky Bet Championship next season.
