Sunderland AFC latest: Danny Rohl update, Jerman Defoe talks, Jack Clarke transfer claim | OneFootball

The Black Cats dropped out of contention for promotion to the Premier League with several fixtures remaining.

The club also hasn’t had a permanent head coach since February, with Mike Dodds currently overseeing the first team on an interim basis.

The search for a replacement for Michael Beale is ongoing, but Dodds still has one game remaining before handing over the reins in the summer.

The Wearside outfit will be hosting Sheffield Wednesday this weekend, with the Owls hoping to secure their place in the division for another year.

Here we look at all the latest news surrounding Sunderland ahead of their final game of the season on 4 May…

Danny Rohl waiting game

According to The Northern Echo, Sunderland are monitoring what happens next with Danny Rohl’s future at Sheffield Wednesday.

The German has emerged as a front-running candidate to take over the first team squad at the Stadium of Light.

The 35-year-old has been key to their turnaround in the second half of the season, with the Yorkshire outfit now set to stay in the division for another year despite being last when he took over in October.

However, Rohl has revealed he is set for crucial talks with the Wednesday board in order to understand their ambition for how to move the club forward, casting doubt over his future at Hillsborough.

If he departs Sunderland’s Championship rivals, this could open the door for him to make the switch to Wearside during the summer.

Jermain Defoe talks

Former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has admitted that he held informal talks about potentially becoming the club’s latest head coach.

The forward stressed no interview took place, but that he held discussions over the possibility of filling the vacancy.

“I've had no interview or anything like that,” said Defoe, via the Sunderland Echo.

“And like I said before when we spoke, I spoke about obviously the people that want to come with me and even in the background, certain players that I know that I can attract, young top players in the country that I can attract to try and get the club back into the Premier League.

“I've had those sorts of discussions. So nothing's changed really, but I've not had an interview.

“I went to the Leeds-Sunderland game and just watched the team and stuff like that. So that's it.”

Defoe makes Jack Clarke claim

Jack Clarke’s future at Sunderland is in doubt going into the summer transfer window.

The forward has been the subject of intense speculation in the past, but has remained with the Championship side.

However, his agent, Ian Harte, declared that he would like to see the 23-year-old change clubs this summer.

But Defoe has claimed he could keep Clarke at the club beyond this summer, amid interest from West Ham.

“If I was manager, he would stay...” said Defoe, via the Sunderland Echo.

“I know Jack Clarke and you never know.

“At the end of the day, he's someone who I knew about from when he was at Leeds and he comes to Tottenham and he's a 1v1 specialist.

“He's one of those players that you don't have to coach.

“You coach him by giving him the ball and letting him express himself and do what he does.

“You can't really coach players like that. If the club can hold on to him, he'll be amazing.

“I think for any manager or young coach to work with players like that would obviously be a dream because when you've got good players, it makes your job easier.“