Sky Bet Championship side Sunderland have moved one step closer in their goal of appointing Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes, according to the Northern Echo.
Sunderland are preparing for life in the Championship but it’s proving to be a difficult job with the Northern side still yet to appoint a manager at the Stadium of Light.
Last week we reported that betting odds on former Norwich boss Paul Lambert had dropped, but McInnes remains the favourite for the Stadium of Light hot seat after the latest developments.
The Black Cats have been searching for a new manager since David Moyes’ resignation at the end of last season, and the Wearside club have moved one step closer in their pursuit of Derek McInnes after Aberdeen granted the Championship side permission to speak to the 45-year-old.
Whilst Sunderland are keen for McInnes to join the Championship side, it is understood that Aberdeen want £1million in compensation for their prized manager. It is also believed that the two parties are set to undertake personal talks in the next 24 hours.
In a statement by Aberdeen, the Scottish side announced that Sunderland had undergone the appropriate action in requesting permission to talk to McInnes about the vacant position at the Stadium of Light.
The full statement read: “The club can confirm that early this afternoon Sunderland FC agreed to meet all the contractual obligations for both Derek McInnes and Tony Docherty and they have, reluctantly, been granted permission to speak with both of them about the vacant managerial position at Sunderland.”