McInnes set for Black Cats talks

Sunderland's search for a successor to David Moyes is set to ramp up in the next 24 hours with an official approach to Aberdeen to speak to their highly rated manager Derek McInnes.  The 45 year old is currently on a post-season break following another strong showing in the SPFL this season, which saw his Dons side runners-up to Celtic in all three domestic competitions as well as amassing a record points tally in the league.  The steady and sustained improvement in the Dons fortunes during his 4 year tenure has not gone un-noticed and now Sunderland are set to try and lure him south.

McInnes has made it known how much he enjoys his current role at Pittodrie but the prospect of revitalising another sleeping giant in Sunderland is likely to appeal and despite the paucity of resources he is likely to be afforded at the Stadium of Light, the playing budget will far outstrip that on offer with the Reds.  With a first team playing budget quoted by McInnes at £42,000 per week in the aftermath of the Scottish Cup final defeat at the weekend, and with the strongest Aberdeen squad in decades assembled at a combined cost of £200,000, McInnes fits the bill for a Sunderland board seeking to rebuild a club on a budget.

Aberdeen have been resurgent under his stewardship and three successive second place finishes in the league is testament to the work he has done with the Pittodrie outfit.  Playing a brand of exciting, high energy football, McInnes has a close bond with the players and fans alike.  However, with a number of players out of contract in the summer, the Aberdeen boss faces a rebuilding job at Pittodrie in the summer and though vocal in how much he enjoys his current position, the prospect of starting a new project at a club the size of Sunderland is sure to appeal.  Sunderland's Chief Executive Martin Bain has enlisted the help of another former Ranger Walter Smith to assist in the hunt for a new manager and with McInnes being well known to both from his time as a player with the Ibrox club, they are now set to make their move.