Sunderland eyeing Francesco Farioli as their next manager

Sunderland are keen on appointing Francesco Farioli as their next manager, reports Fabrizio Romano.

Tony Mowbray is currently in charge of the Black Cats after becoming their manager last August.

Sunderland are sixth in the Championship with two games remaining but are at risk of missing out on the play-offs.

The six clubs behind them in the league table still have a chance of pipping them to a spot in the top-six.

The Stadium of Light club have won just three of their last eight Championship games.

Sunderland face fellow promotion chasers Watford and Preston North End next, and Mowbray could lose his job if they fail to move up.

Farioli is top of the club’s wishlist despite his little experience.

The 34-year-old Italian last worked with Turkish Super Lig club Alanyaspor having been their assistant manager between 2020 and 2021.

Farioli’s first job as a first-team manager came at Fatih Karagumruk in 2021.

He became the youngest football manager in a professional league in Europe at the time.

Farioli started his career in 2009 at 20 as the goalkeeping coach of Margine Coperta.

He joined Serie D club Fortis Juventus later as an assistant.

Farioli worked as the goalkeeping coach for Lucchese, Qatar under-17, Aspire Academy, Benevento and Sassuolo before moving to Turkey.

Sunderland are not the only club interested in the philosophy and sports science graduate.

He was linked with Watford earlier this month, and Braga, clubs in Spain Portugal, Italy, Turkey and England are keeping tabs on him.

Farioli learnt under Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi in Italy and has since developed his style.

Sunderland are keen to take the punt on him, and it will be intriguing to see what happens next.