Sunderland legend closes in on first EFL managerial job

A former Sunderland favourite is reportedly close to landing the Walsall job.

Luke Phelps | May 1, 2023

Sunderland legend closes in on first EFL managerial job /

Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips 'is in advanced talks' to become Walsall manager, reports Football Insider.

Phillips, 49, is close to being appointed Walsall's new manager. The League Two side sacked Michael Flynn last month after a run of one win in 20, with the Saddlers now sat in 17th place of the League Two table.

Former Sunderland man Phillips took on his first managerial job with non-league side South Shields at the start of last year.

He guided the side to the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-off semi finals last season but missed out on promotion. Last month though, Phillips' side clinched promotion to the National League North.

During a professional playing career that spanned 20 years, Phillips represented all of Watford, Sunderland, Southampton, Aston Villa, West Brom, Birmingham City, Crystal Palace, Blackpool, and Leicester City, before moving into coaching with roles at Leicester, Derby County, and Stoke City.

The eight-time former England striker is perhaps best known for his time at Sunderland - he spent six years at the club between 1997 and 2003, making 235 total appearances and scoring 130 goals.

Phillips enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career whilst playing at the Stadium of Light, scoring 25+ goals in each of the 1997/98, 1998/99, and 1999/00 seasons.

But it was the 1999/00 season which shot Phillips to fame. He won the Premier League Golden Boot, Premier League Player of the Year, and European Golden Shoe awards that season after scoring 30 goals in the Premier League.

And Sunderland fans will hope to see him make a splash in management as he closes in on his first Football League job.

Read more Sunderland news