FORMER HIBS boss Paul Heckingbottom is top of Sunderland’s wanted list to be their next manager.
The Black Cats want to make a long-term appointment after staggering along under caretaker boss Michael Dodds since Michael Beale was quickly axed.
And former Sheffield United and Easter Road chief Hecky ticks all the boxes.
But it'll only happen is if he is willing to work with the current regime and their way of doing things.
Sunderland want to promote their young players and keep some existing staff under the next boss.
Heckingbottom, 46, had talks with the Wearsiders before ex-Rangers boss Beale got the job in December.
He lasted just 12 games in an ill-fated spell, but the move may suit both parties this time.
Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is in talks with a US financial group about a £20million loan.
But not all the cash will instantly go to the club.
Heckingbottom spent two years in charge of Sheffield United and led them to Premier League promotion last year.
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However, the Barnsley tactician suffered a dismal campaign with the Blades in the top flight as he lost 11 out of 14 matches, of which he only won one.
Heckingbottom was assisted by Rangers legend Stuart McCall, but both were sacked in December when he was replaced by Aberdeen-linked Chris Wilder at Bramall Lane.
The change hasn't paid off either Sheffield United are still bottom of the Prem table with seven points separating them from safety.
Prior to the Blades Hecky was boss in Edinburgh for nine months, leading Hibs to Hampden in the 2019-20 League Cup semi-final.
But a miserable start to that season's league campaign saw him sacked after a heavy defeat at the National Stadium and he returned to England.
Meanwhile the former Wearside manager Beale was spotted at an SPFL ground earlier this month.
But it WASN'T football related.
Beale took son Henry for an early driving lesson to celebrate his 13th birthday with the Young Driver company.
They utilise car parks at Braehead and Silverburn shopping centres in Scotland as well as The Falkirk Stadium where Beale posted his update on social media.