DOUBLE-WINNER Raphael Wicky is a new name under consideration to become Sunderland’s next manager.
The search for a permanent boss to replace Michael Beale has now passed the 100-day mark as pressure mounts on owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to make a decision.
Now the Black Cats are looking at the man who led Young Boys to both Swiss Super League and cup glory last year.
It’s been a frustrating 12 months on Wearside as what had looked set to be another exciting season for Sunderland ended in both disappointment and with the club managerless.
Having led them to the Championship play-offs the previous season, Tony Mowbray was sacked in December with the team sitting ninth.
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His replacement Beale then suffered six defeats in his opening 12 games and was also axed in February.
Popular coach Mike Dodds was placed in interim charge for the remainder of the campaign but Sunderland could only end up finishing 16th.
Sun Sport understands that Will Still, who left Reims in France this month, remains Louis-Dreyfus’ preferred choice.
However, we have learned that a new name under consideration for the job is former Switzerland international Wicky - although he is also believed to be on the radar of Burnley.
The 47-year-old enjoyed an impressive playing career in midfield for the likes of Sion, Werder Bremen, Atletico Madrid and Hamburg.
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He won a host of trophies before hanging up his boots in 2008 after a short stint in America.
Wicky then set about his coaching career, working with the youth sides FC Thun, Servette and Basel before he took over their first-team late on in the 2016/17 season.
They wrapped up the title days later and followed that up with Swiss Cup success but he left the club the following summer after they finished runners-up.
Wicky took charge of USA’s under-17 squad and then had a spell in charge of Chicago Fire in the MLS but returned to his homeland in June 2022.
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He took over Young Boys and led them to a Swiss double in his first season in charge.
Wicky, who represented his country at two European Championships and the 2006 World Cup as a player, left the club in April.
That means that Sunderland would not be required to pay any compensation for him should they offer him the job.
Danny Rohl has penned a new deal with Sheffield Wednesday which ruled him out but Englishman Still is heavily fancied.
The 31-year-old took charge of Reims, where he was previously assistant to Oscar Garcia, in October 2022 with the side languishing in the midst of a Ligue 1 relegation fight.
He then led them to a 19-game unbeaten run and an 11th-placed finish.
Reims were in the exact same position this term with three matches remaining when they announced that the Englishman was leaving with immediate effect.
Still was born in Belgium to English parents and began his managerial career aged 24, admitting that his love of coaching was born through playing the much-loved Football Manager game.
Still began his coaching journey at Preston's Myerscough College where he got the chance to coach North End's U14 side.
He then got in touch with all his contacts in Belgium football asking if there were any opportunities.
Former club Sint-Truiden came up trumps - offering him work as an opposition analyst.
He even turned to Football Manager again for tactical guidance - using the game's database to scout players.
Still took various jobs from 2017 - including roles at Standard Liege and second division Lierse.
At 24, Liege promoted him to be their head coach - however, when the club went into financial difficulty he was forced to leave.
A short stint at Beerschot was followed by talk of him teaming up with Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht.
Instead, he moved to France - working with Oscar Garcia as his assistant on a short-term deal.
Reims called him back that summer to be assistant, before he took over the reins from Garcia, who was sacked just two months into the season.
