By Wayne Veysey

25th May, 2023 | 4:00pm

Sources: Tony Mowbray in the dark as Sunderland plot manager change

Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray is still waiting to hear if the club want him in charge for next season, sources have told Football Insider.

Mowbray, 59, and his assistant Mark Venus are in the dark about the club’s plans, despite leading the club to a sixth-place finish in the Championship this term.

It is believed director of football Kristjaan Speakman has been sounding out a Turkish managerial candidate to replace the former Blackburn Rovers boss.

Mowbray’s Sunderland contract is not due to expire until June 2024, with the Black Cats boss only replacing Alex Neil in the dugout in August 2022.

He went on to win 61 points from his 40 matches in charge to secure a play-off place in Sunderland’s first season since promotion back to the Championship.

However, the Wearside outfit were denied a place in the play-off final by Luton Town after losing 3-2 on aggregate to the Hatters earlier this month.

Speaking after the defeat and quoted by Chronicle Live (17 May), Mowbray confirmed he wants to remain in the job for the 2023-24 season but admitted “modern-day football clubs can do what they want”.

The Englishman has experience of achieving promotion to the Premier League, having guided West Brom to the Championship title in the 2007-08 season.

He has taken charge of 456 total games in the second tier, claiming an average of 1.45 points per match (as per Transfermarkt).

Sunderland are keen to kick off their transfer business early as they seek a return to the Premier League after a six-year absence from the top flight.

According to Sky Sports (18 May), the Black Cats are confident of agreeing the signing of Jobe Bellingham, 17, from Birmingham City.

It is claimed the midfielder, who is the younger brother of England international Jude, will cost in the region of £3million.

In other news, Sunderland set to bank £13million as new crackdown revealed.