•  Sunderland’s latest loss under Dodds may harm his chances of securing the permanent head coach position next season.
•  Despite Dodds’ potential, insiders like Carlton Palmer believe Sunderland seeks a coach with more experience.
•  Dodds must quickly improve team results to secure a permanent coaching role, as other strong candidates are in consideration.

Last weekend, Mike Dodds managed his first matchback as Sunderland’s manager.

On Saturday, nevertheless, the squad lost 2-1 at Swansea City under the interim head coach.

The Black Cats’ hopes of finishing in the top six were severely harmed with their third straight loss.

It might have also hampered Dodds’ prospects of being named the permanent head coach at the Stadium of Light at the conclusion of the season, but according to Alan Nixon, Sunderland might offer Dodds the position the next season if things go well, especially considering how close he is to Kristjaan Speakman.

The 37-year-old was placed in charge of the team until the end of the term following Michael Beale’s sacking last week, but there is potential for it to become a permanent role in the future if he performs well in the final months of the season.

Carlton Palmer makes Sunderland manager search claim

At the end of the current campaign, Carlton Palmer thinks it is doubtful that Dodds will take over as Sunderland’s permanent head coach.

“In some quarters there are suggestions that Mike Dodds could be kept on as

Sunderland boss, longer than the end of the season, if results are good,” Palmer told Football League World. “But,

currently, he’s in his third spell as caretaker manager and they’ve had three

straight defeats, so it’s unlikely they’ll make the play-offs this season. So, again,

be careful what you wish for.” Nevertheless, he feels a positive run of results between now and the end of the

term could persuade him and the Sunderland board otherwise.

Tony Mowbray led them to the playoffs the previous year, narrowly losing to Luton Town, the eventual victors who were promoted to the Premier League.

“The Sunderland hierarchy and backroom personnel value Mike Dodds highly, and they are doing all in their power to keep him around.

“Of course his name will be considered if he continues to produce strong results through the end of the season.

However, I believe it’s quite improbable that Mike Dodds will take over as Sunderland’s manager.

“I believe Sunderland may be holding off on approaching the manager they have their eye on until the conclusion of the season.

“I believe it to be a foreign coach.”

Sunderland league position