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Sunderland Given Formal Permission to Speak to Preston's Simon Grayson Over Vacant Manager's Job

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​Sunderland have been given formal permission to open talks with Preston North End boss Simon Grayson as they continue their search for a new manager following the resignation of David Moyes last month.

Coming via a statement on Thursday lunchtime, Preston publicly confirmed the approach from the Black Cats, a team they will be facing in the Championship in 2017/18, and explained that Grayson had in turn also asked for permission to speak to Sunderland.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Simon Grayson, Manager of Preston North End looks on during the EFL Cup Third Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Preston North End at Goldsands Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Simon Grayson, Manager of Preston North End looks on during the EFL Cup Third Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Preston North End at Goldsands Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

The statement read, "Preston North End have today been contacted by Sunderland Football Club to ask permission to speak to Simon Grayson in relation to their vacant managerial position.

"Having spoken to Simon, he has asked permission to speak to the Black Cats and therefore the club had no option but to allow these conversations to take place, with a compensation package already guaranteed in his contract."

Preston coach Steve Thompson will temporarily oversee management duties at Deepdale until the subject of Grayson's future is resolved one way or another.

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Preston North End Manager Simon Grayson after the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Preston North End at Portman Road on January 16, 2016 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Preston North End Manager Simon Grayson after the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Preston North End at Portman Road on January 16, 2016 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Formerly a Premier League defender with Leicester City and Aston Villa, 47-year-old Grayson has been in charge at Preston since 2013 at a time when the Lancashire club were in League One.

He steered the team to a playoff berth in his first full season in charge, with promotion back to the Championship eventually secured the following season after another playoff berth. Preston have since managed respectable 11th place finishes in back-to-back seasons in the second tier.

Grayson had previously managed at Huddersfield, Leeds and Blackpool.

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