Sunderland have narrowed down their managerial shortlist to Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth and ex-Bolton Wanderers boss Phil Parkinson according to The Chronicle Live.
Ainsworth and Parkinson have both had discussions with the North East club and have now emerged as the leading candidates for the job.
Since Jack Ross was sacked a week ago former Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel, ex-Leicester and Derby County manager Nigel Pearson, Wigan’s Paul Cook, and former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips have been linked with the role.
The Black Cats face Wycombe on Saturday and they are hoping to appoint a new manager in the next 24-48 hours before they are next in action.
Wycombe have given Sunderland permission to speak to Ainsworth although he is also a target for Championship side Millwall who are looking for a replacement for the recently departed Neil Harris.
Parkinson is currently out of work after resigning from his post at Bolton Wanderers in August in the midst of their financial troubles.
The hierarchy at Sunderland have made it clear that they are looking for someone with proven League One experience and Parkinson has managed over 300 games at this level.
Ainsworth has managed just over 50 but he has enjoyed an impressive start to the season with Wycombe with the side currently lying in second place in the division.
Parkinson has also managed automatic promotion from the third tier with Bolton and Colchester in his managerial career which will be of interest to Sunderland.
