SUNDERLAND will make a decision on whether or not to replace Mike Dodds within the next fortnight.
Dodds left his position as assistant head coach earlier this week to take charge of League One promotion hopefuls Wycombe Wanderers.
The departure of the three-time interim boss means Sunderland’s senior coaching staff now comprises of assistant head coach Pedro Ribeiro, who was appointed last autumn, first-team coach Michael Proctor and goalkeeping coach Alessandro Barcherini.
There is scope to bring in a direct replacement for Dodds, but Regis Le Bris has decided to take a couple of weeks to mull over his options before making a recommendation to sporting director Kristjaan Speakman.
“It was probably a tough decision (for Dodds to leave), because we really enjoyed the connection with Doddsy during the last few months,” said the Sunderland boss. “With his pathway, it was clear that he wanted to be a head coach, and when this opportunity came, he had to make a decision. We respect that.
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“I think our staff is in a good place at the minute. Pedro started with us a little bit later, but he is now well connected with the rest of the staff. We will find a solution. We are still having conversations about the new set-up. Is it useful to bring in a new assistant, or not? To be honest, I am not sure at the minute, we will see. We will probably decide what the final set-up will be in the next seven to ten days.”
In the meantime, Le Bris is encouraging Sunderland’s players to start taking more responsibility for themselves, particularly when it comes to tweaking tactics in an in-game situation.
“It is not ideal to lose someone like that, but at the same time, that is the way our professional life goes,” he said. “When you have opportunities, sometimes you have to make a tough decision.
“Now, with the way we wanted to build this team, it is important to trust the players and pass on some responsibility to them. They have the right culture now, and are ready to execute some of the tasks by themselves.
“When we are thinking about the way we want to build our game model, we want to give the players the possibility to choose some things for themselves. They need to be making decisions on the pitch, and now, after seven months of working with us, that should be easier for them. I hope we will create new conditions where they can take responsibility.”
