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Next Sunderland manager: Phil Brown dreaming of Black Cats job
SOUTHEND UNITED boss Phil Brown has thrown his hat in the ring for the managerial vacancy at Sunderland.
Next Sunderland Manager: Phil Brown admits it's his dream job
The Black Cats sacked Simon Grayson in the wake of last night’s 3-3 draw against fellow Championship strugglers Bolton Wanderers.
“Sunderland are my football club and being the manager of Sunderland would be my dream job because of that,” said Brown.
“I have supported Sunderland for more than 50 years and would go and watch them when I was a kid with a black, red and white scarf tied round my wrist like everyone seemed to do back then. I have fond memories of that time and it’s a very big club.
“But for whatever reason they’re going through a torrid time at the moment and it’s not very nice to see.”
Sunderland sacked Simon Grayson after the 3-3 draw with Bolton
Despite admitting it is his “dream job”, Brown insists he is happy at Southend.
“I’m very focused on being the manager of Southend and the FA Cup tie we have at Yeovil on Saturday,” he said.
“That’s all I’m thinking about, but my contract is up at the end of the season.”
Sunderland have not won a league game since beating Norwich City on August 13.
The Black Cats have also failed to secure a victory at the Stadium of Light in 2017.
Grayson failed to reverse the club’s fortunes, but Brown has sympathy for the axed boss.
“I was following the game while watching our FA Youth Cup game at MK Dons and I did fear it was must win for Simon,” he told the Southend Echo.
“It wasn’t nice to see him leave but it’s definitely Sunderland which is my dream job and not Bolton despite my long association with them.”
Meanwhile, Billy McKinlay and Robbie Stockdale have been confirmed as joint-caretaker managers.