Sunderland were reportedly put off pursuing Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook as the Championship club wanted £1 million in compensation.

Jack Ross was sacked by the North East club at the start of the international break and the Black Cats appointed Phil Parkinson as his replacement last week.

There were a string of names linked during Sunderland's search for a new manager, including Cook, who is understood to have been interested in the job.

[freshpress-poll ]

Cook won League One with Wigan in the 2017/18 season and currently has his side 18th in the Championship.

According to The Sun on Sunday (20/10; page 65), the Black Cats were considering making a move for the 52-year-old but abandoned their pursuit of the Latics boss after being put off by the £1 million compensation that the Championship club wanted.

Parkinson, who has been promoted from League One three times, was eventually given the role and suffered defeat at the hands of Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park on Saturday.

A first-half goal from Chairboys' defender Darius Charles proved the difference between the sides in a tightly-contested affair.

The result means Sunderland drop to tenth in League One, two points outside the top six but with a game in hand over the majority of the division.

The Verdict

It is interesting to hear that Sunderland were very keen on Cook but not enough to spend £1 million on compensation for the manager.

The Black Cats now have Parkinson at the helm and it is important that the fanbase gets behind him, even if he was not the first choice of many.

The new boss faced a tough test first up, facing second-place Wycombe away at Adams Park, but will have been hoping for at least a point and will no doubt have his detractors at the Stadium of Light already.