Sacked Premier League boss will only be allowed to bring in ONE member of staff if he takes Sunderland job

PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM may only be able to bring in ONE member of backroom staff if he takes the Sunderland job.

Hecky is favourite for the post — as we revealed last week — but the Black Cats want to keep some of their existing staff.

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Michael Heckingbottom can only choose one member of staff if he takes the Sunderland job[/caption]

And that would mean Heckingbottom, 46, having to choose between out-of-work Stuart McCall or Sheffield United coach Jack Lester.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl is also a Mackems option but is probably too costly.

Heckingbottom has been out of work since being axed by Sheffield United in December.

He led the Blades back to the Premier League last summer but was replaced by Chris Wilder after winning just one of his 14 top-flight games.

Hecky was previously linked with the Sunderland role just days after leaving Bramall Lane.

However, the Championship side hired Michael Beale as Tony Mowbray’s replacement instead.

He managed just 12 games at the Stadium of Light and was sacked in February after picking up only four wins.

Michael Dodds has since been in charge as caretaker boss.

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But as well as Heckingbottom, Sunderland are also keeping an eye on Wednesday chief Rohl

He took charge of the Owls in October and has them just one point off safety.

SunSport also revealed this week that Sunderland legend Jermain Defoe has thrown his hat into the ring for the top job.

The 41-year-old, currently coaching at Tottenham, scored 37 goals in 100 games during two spells at the club.

He said: “Even when I was a player at Sunderland, I always said I’d love to manage the club.

“Everyone is going to want this job. If I got a phone call now asking if I want to be Sunderland manager? It would be a dream.”