Jermain Defoe makes Sunderland job pitch as he looks to replace Rangers ally Michael Beale

Jermain Defoe has thrown his name into the hat for the vacant job at Sunderland that would see him replace his old Rangers coach Michael Beale.

The English Championship side have been without a permanent boss since sacking Beale back in February after just 12 games at the helm. Black Cats first-team coach Mike Dodds has stepped up to the hot seat on an interim basis, but a run of just one win in seven games has ended Sunderland's hopes of making the play-offs.

Ex-Hibernian manager Paul Heckingbottom has been heavily linked with the role, while Reims boss Will Still is also a reported target. But former Sunderland and Rangers striker Defoe, who hung up his boots in 2022 after a 23-year career that saw him net over 300 goals, has now openly declared his desire to succeed Beale at the Stadium of Light if the opportunity to arise.

Speaking to the Mirror, Tottenham under 18s coach Defoe said: “The Sunderland job? Why not? Even when I was a player, I always used to say I'd love to manage this club. If I got an opportunity, I wouldn't shy away from it, so let's go.”

The 41-year-old says he is gearing up for a career in management and reckons his year under Steven Gerrard as a player/coach at Ibrox will stand him in good stead for future challenges. He added: “I hear people talk about needing experience. My experience is working with young players, understanding what they need and it forces you to coach.

“I love football, everyone knows that, I've always loved football. I was lucky enough to have a good career and then you finish football and for me that transition has been quite smooth because I went straight into coaching.

"I've put my CV into a few clubs and had conversations, just conversations to see where I'm at in terms