Could Mike Dodds return to Sunderland after Wycombe Wanderers sack?
Sunderland have been getting on just swimmingly since Mike Dodds left the Wearside club.
Dodds became Wycombe Wanderers’ head coach in early February after Matt Bloomfield left his position to take the Luton Town job.
The Chairboys were sitting second in League One when Dodds took over, but they went on to lose in the play-offs to Charlton Athletic.
Wycombe have now sacked the 39-year-old after eight games of the new season, so could a return to Sunderland be on the horizon?
Why was Mike Dodds sacked by Wycombe Wanderers?
Luke O’Nien led the goodbyes to Dodds when he departed Wearside, highlighting that he was a popular figure at the North East club.
By taking the job at Adams Park, the Englishman entered his first permanent role as a head coach, having been caretaker manager at the Stadium of Light.
Last season, Wycombe were in a prime position to clinch promotion, but their form fell away at the end of the campaign, along with their Championship ambitions.
Niall Huggins left Sunderland to link up with his former coach on loan late in the summer window.
However, this term has followed in the same vein, with the Chairboys languishing in 19th position, with just five points.
- Wycombe have only beaten Mansfield Town in the league this season
- They lost their last match 2-1 to bottom-of-the-table Peterborough United
- Dodds averaged 1.19 points per match as manager
Understandably, the League One club have decided to sack Dodds, with Michael Duff taking his position.
What did Mike Dodds previously do for Sunderland?
Dodds’ contract with Wycombe was set to run until 2028, but it is not known whether the League One club will continue to pay him until then.
First, the 39-year-old must decide whether he wants to pursue another job in management or go back to a role he is familiar with.
On current evidence, it would be fair to say that things have not worked out as expected when it comes to a head coach role.
During his time as Sunderland caretaker manager, he failed to stop the slide from Michael Beale’s era and completely diminished all hope.
- Dodds averaged 0.69 points per match as caretaker manager
- He managed two wins in 13 games
- The 39-year-old picked up nine points
However, Dodds remained at the Stadium of Light as assistant manager to Regis Le Bris, and on the surface, he did an admirable job.
The 39-year-old’s background in academy football came in extremely handy, given the Black Cats’ young side.
Furthermore, Dodds utilised his links with Birmingham City to bring Jobe Bellingham to the North East club, highlighting the fact that he has valuable links.
What is Regis Le Bris’ current coaching setup?
As it stands, Luciano Vulcano is Sunderland’s assistant manager, and given that he only recently arrived, that role is seemingly out of bounds.
Le Bris currently has four assistant coaches, including Alessandro Barcherini, Isidre Ramon Madir, Michael Proctor, and James Brayne.
If the Wearsiders are happy to have him back, then it would surely be possible for the Frenchman to squeeze him in.
Given that life as a head coach has not worked out for Dodds, his best bet may be to return to a familiar role in the North East.
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