Jurgen Klinsmann is the latest name to be linked with the vacant managerial post at Sunderland, but he insists there is nothing in the speculation.
The Black Cats are on the lookout for a new manager following the departure of David Moyes at the end of last season, in which they finished bottom of the Premier League table.
It is widely thought that Derek McInnes was the first choice for chairman Ellis Short, but the 45-year-old decided to stay at Aberdeen despite holding talks with the Wearside club.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has also been heavily linked with succeeding Moyes, but he is set to sign a new contract after leading the Blades to the League One title last term.
Klinsmann would no doubt have been a welcome appointment, given his standing following a fine playing career which included Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.
But when asked about the speculation linking him with a move to Sunderland, he distanced himself to the job by insisting: “No truth on rumours coaching Sunderland FC in the near future.”
A former international for Germany with 40 goals in 83 caps, Klinsmann also led his country to third place in the 2006 World Cup Finals before quitting shortly after the tournament.
The 52-year-old was head coach at Bayern in 2008-09 and led them to the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League, but his side were just third in the league when he was sacked in April.
Following a five-year stint in charge of the United States, the former forward was dismissed in November 2016 following back-to-back defeats in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Simon Grayson, the current Preston North End manager, is the favourite to be appointed Sunderland manager, although it is unclear if an official move has yet been made.
