‘Would be a backward move’ – Sunderland eye 54-year-old as Lee Johnson replacement: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict’ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Paul Cook has emerged as a candidate for the vacant Sunderland job, according to the Northern Echo. 

Lee Johnson was sacked on Sunday evening and Cook, who was relieved of his duties by Ipswich Town in December but does have a good record for EFL promotions, has been linked with taking charge.

But would the 54-year-old be a good appointment?

Our FLW writers share their thoughts…

Marcus Ally

Cook definitely ticks boxes having had a recent League One promotion on his CV and he caught the eye with Wigan’s consistently excellent performances in the second tier in 2019/20.

Whether it is an upgrade on Lee Johnson is up for debate, but Cook would have to be seen as a decent appointment given what he has achieved in recent years.

This is a very important appointment with the Black Cats desperate to avoid a fifth straight season in the third tier.

Ipswich on the whole looked to have turned a corner when Cook lost his job at Portman Road, whether they were going to crack the top six this term we will never know, but there were reasons to believe that Cook was going to be a success there.

Sunderland seem to be a club more suited to employing a modern coach, which Cook does not represent.

Billy Mulley

I do like Paul Cook and still think he can go on to enjoy success in his managerial career, but I am unsure whether this would be the right move for him.

Sunderland need a manager who has what it takes to see instant success, with Cook, to me, seeming like a bigger picture manager and someone who operates best when embarking