This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Nigel Pearson has reportedly emerged as a candidate to replace Phil Parkinson after his Sunderland exit.

Parkinson was sacked yesterday and journalist Alan Nixon has claimed that Pearson is an early contender to take charge of the Black Cats.

But would he be a good appointment? And is he the right man for the job?

We asked our FLW writers for their thoughts...

George Harbey

I'm not so sure to be honest.

Pearson hasn't really done a lot in management in recent years to make me believe that he'd be the right fit at the Stadium of Light.

Of course, he has managed in the Premier League and is a vastly experienced manager, but he is a big name that is slightly risky in my opinion.

His time at Leicester and Derby turned sour and he also failed to save Watford from relegation last season, and I just have a feeling that there are better options out there.

Danny Cowley is undoubtedly the right choice for that club.

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Jacob Potter

This would be somewhat of a coup.

Pearson has made a name for himself as a manager at a higher level than League One, and it would be an excellent appointment by Sunderland if they made him as their new boss.

You would imagine that Pearson will be eager to get back into management in the near future as well, after a disappointing spell with Watford came to an end earlier this year.

Sunderland need a manager that can fire up an underperforming group of players, and Pearson is definitely the sort of person that can do just that.

He'd be my number-one target for their new manager if I was them, and I think he'd certainly be capable of taking them back into the Championship this season.

The Black Cats simply must get this next appointment right though, as they've been a 'sleeping giant' for far too long in the third-tier now.

Phil Spencer

This is exactly the sort of appointment that Sunderland need to be targeting.

The Black Cats need to be pushing for promotion and if they're to do that then they need someone to come in who is a proven leader.

Pearson certainly ticks that box.

The former Watford boss will no doubt ruffle some feathers and that's exactly what the squad need.

As well as that, Pearson will set the team up to ensure that they're difficult to beat - something which will go a long way to ensuring that the club ultimately finish in the upper echelons of the table.