Sunderland will hope next season in the Championship is a drastic improvement on the one that just slammed shut, finishing in a dire 16th spot in the final league standings after once being talked of as promotion hopefuls.
There have been no real concrete developments on who will be in the dug-out at the Stadium of Light next season, however, with a lack of activity on the transfer front only adding to the quiet nature of the Wearside outfit currently.
Mike Dodds certainly won't be in charge after his time as interim boss came to a natural end after the final game, despite the 37-year-old coach's insistence to play young gems at Sunderland paying off at points, with 16-year-old Chris Rigg netting another senior goal during his short-lived tenure.
Whoever is the next Black Cats boss could do far worse than attempting to bump up more academy prospects to the first-team ranks when given the reins, potentially ignoring the opportunity to splash the cash during transfer season, with one promising defender potentially ready for senior opportunities.
Academy gem ready to step up for Sunderland
Described as being a "strong" defender by Academy manager Robin Nicholls when putting pen to paper on a new Sunderland deal last year, Oliver Bainbridge could well now be viewed as mature enough to be given chances in the first-team picture.
The 18-year-old has been linked with a loan move away to Bradford City as of late, but with past rumours also linking him with a switch to the Premier League with Sean Dyche's Everton, he might well be more suited to Championship action over the lower reaches of the EFL at the Bantams.
Starring in the U18 and U21 fold for some time now, with nine goals managed from down the left flank from 57 games for the U18s, Bainbridge has been largely everpresent in the Premier League 2 this season too by missing just four clashes.
The teenager could now feel he's outgrown the youth set-ups at the Black Cats, therefore, and when viewing how well the likes of Rigg have taken to the leap of the men's football, he could be chomping at the bit to be in the next manager's plans.
Bainbridge will also be eager to leave a lasting impression knowing the lack of numbers Sunderland have available in this spot, with serious injuries seeing Dennis Cirkin and Niall Huggins sidelined for some time, alongside new recruit Leo Hjelde looking shaky in defence.
Sunderland's left-back situation
With Huggins and Cirkin only making a combined 30 appearances between them last campaign, Bainbridge will fancy his chances that he can unsettle the status quo and become Sunderland's starting left-back soon.
Hjelde has arguably also failed to settle, with his last appearance against Bristol City seeing him win zero duels, before being benched or out of the team completely for his side's last five Championship clashes.
Matches played – 23/24
Matches missed since signing
Weekly salary
8
234 days
£10k
22
230 days
£3.8k
Sourced by Transfermarkt & Capology.
Bainbridge's inclusion in the first team could also result in Sunderland becoming a far more exciting team going forward, having only scored 52 goals last season from 46 games with just two managed in April alone. As such, the 18-year-old's direct approach – hence his high goalscoring numbers playing out from defence – could be a huge help.
The promising 18-year-old could be perfect for Jack Clarke down the left flank consequently, with Sunderland desperately wanting their 15-goal star to stay put for hopefully a far more successful campaign coming up.
As much as messing around with the squad personnel could unearth an absolute gem, Sunderland know getting this next manager appointment spot on is equally as crucial to try and right the wrongs of a dreadful season just finished.
Next Sunderland manager: Who could replace Mike Dodds?
With Mike Dodds’ interim spell as Sunderland’s boss coming to an end, who is in the running to be their next manager?
ByKelan SarsonMay 29, 2024
