Tony Coton ‘attracting interest’ from Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg and Como | OneFootball

Former Sunderland head of recruitment Tony Coton is attracting interest from clubs across Europe.

According to Sunderland Echo, he is on the radar of Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg and Como as those clubs look to bolster their scouting operations.

Coton is Manchester United’s chief goalkeeper scout, responsible for identifying goalkeeping talent, having returned to Old Trafford in 2020 in a specialist role.

His Sunderland connection spans playing and executive roles. He joined in summer 1996 from Manchester United for £600,000 after six months at Old Trafford, having moved from Manchester City earlier that year for £500,000 to understudy Peter Schmeichel.

He did not make a first-team appearance for United but was in the squad that won the Premier League and FA Cup in 1995-96. His Sunderland spell began brightly after promotion as Division One champions, but a leg break in five places against Southampton forced his retirement.

Coton then coached United’s goalkeepers from 1997 to 2007 under Sir Alex Ferguson before moving into scouting with Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic, joining Aston Villa in 2015 as goalkeeping scout and later head of domestic scouting.

He returned to Sunderland in 2018 under Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven as head of recruitment following relegation to League One, staying through a significant yet ultimately unsuccessful transition before departing and later rejoining United.

Source: Sunderland Echo