Former Rangers manager Graeme Murty has been linked with the vacant managerial position at the Academy of Light. The club has been without a head coach for the Under-21s, after Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor were both promoted to the first-team under former boss Alex Neil.
That left John Hewitson in temporary charge of the young Black Cats - taking the reins for their pre-season tour of Canada and the start of the Premier League 2 Division 2 campaign. Last week, Hewitson kept his cards close to his chest regarding his future in the role, claiming a decision had not yet been made by the Sunderland hierarchy.
Now, Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, claims Murty is in talks with the club to take over the Under-21s. So who is he and what can he bring to Sunderland?
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Born in Saltburn, Murty spent the majority of his playing career with York City and Reading before a final stop at Southampton, calling time on his career whilst on the south coast. He moved into coaching after retiring and was appointed as an assistant youth development coach at Southampton's Academy in February 2012.
He would primarily work with the under-12 to under-16 age groups, before joining Championship club Norwich City firstly as youth development phase lead coach -taking control of the under-16 team and then was promoted to the position of manager of the under-18s.
A growing reputation in the game saw Rangers come calling for his services in 2016 and he was appointed head coach for the development squad. His under-20s team reached Scottish Youth Cup final in 2017, but lost to Celtic.
He would take over as Rangers caretaker boss following the departure of Mark Warburton and David Weir in February 2017 and then again following Pedro Caixinha sacking later the same year. In December 2017 he was appointed manager of the Gers until the end of the 2017–18 season, but after two heavy defeats against Celtic, he left that job in May 2018 and returned to coaching the youth sides.
Murty would leave Rangers in November 2021 and was also linked with a move to Newcastle United earlier this year.
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