Yahoo Sport 
Sunderland watch closely as next head coach candidate set for crunch talks
SUNDERLAND will closely monitor Danny Rohl developments over the coming days, with Sheffield Wednesday's in-demand head coach set to sit down with Owls bosses for crucial talks over his future.
Wednesday head for the Stadium of Light on Saturday needing just a point to guarantee an escape from relegation that looked extremely unlikely when Rohl took charge in October.
The 35-year-old has done a remarkable job at Hillsborough and has turned heads in the process, with the German admired by Sunderland's hierarchy, who have whittled down their options as decision time on a permanent head coach appointment fast approaches.
Though not confirmed, Rohl is reportedly under contract at Sheffield Wednesday until the end of next season, so compensation would be required.
However, Rohl wants assurances on plans going forward from owner Dejphon Chansiri before he commits his future to Wednesday. His first priority is ensuring the Owls, who are three points above the drop zone, stay up this weekend, but crunch talks are then scheduled.
“We will have some meetings in the following days,” said Rohl.
“This is important. We are still not safe, this is the crucial thing. In the last weeks and months we have had more and more points and this is important, the experience from the games, the Championship and what it means.
“You see how quickly it goes in one direction or the other and we have to do the right things. For this we have to use the summer, to not do everything in the last weeks. It is important we go straight into the next season and we are prepared immediately.”
Asked what he wants to hear to convince him to commit his future to Wednesday, Rohl told the Sheffield Star: “I need a clear strategy of what we can do and what we want to do.
“I am very hungry for more and when you feel the atmosphere in the stadium you can feel that everybody is hungry for more at this club. The experience of the Championship shows us we must be prepared for a tough season and I think the biggest mistake you can make is to think it is good enough what we are doing now.
“Now we must make the next step and for this we must bring all the things together on the table and we must speak about this. We have a clear direction on what we have to improve and if we can do this I think we can go into a good pre-season, this is important. And then we go into the next season.”
RECOMMENDED READING:
Incoming Sunderland boss has intriguing challenge with exciting signing
Championship final day permutations & importance of Sunderland vs Sheffield Wednesday
Sunderland set for off the pitch transformation after striking 'significant' deal
Sunderland are keen to ensure the uncertainty over the head coach position doesn't drag on into the summer and want to act swiftly after Sheffield Wednesday's visit, the final game in what has been a desperately disappointing campaign on Wearside.
QPR boss Marti Cifuentes was last week linked with the vacancy, but said: “If you believe everything you see on social media then it’s going to be a long night.”
Bayern Munich's current Under-19s boss Rene Maric was strongly linked in the German media over the weekend, while Will Still's future at Reims remains unclear, with the 31-year-old having made clear his desire to manage in England.
Former Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom, currently out of work, remains a candidate.
