Paul Cook could 'absolutely' do great Sunderland job - Wigan Athletic chief

Cook left the Latics hotseat within days of the club's relegation to League One being confirmed, after being deducted 12 points for being placed into administration.

Since then - and despite being linked with a number of vacancies, including Saturday's opponents Sunderland - he remains out of work.

Which his long-time No.2 Richardson says is baffling.

"I'll obviously be biased, because I've worked with him, but that means I've seen first hand how he operates," said the acting Latics manager.

"Every club he's been at, he's been successful, and managed to leave that club in a better position than when he arrived.

"He's managed to fulfil the expectation and the criteria of every single job he's been given.

"This is such a unique industry, in that so many of the appointments that get made don't make sense.

"You've got a successful manager over the past 10 years - who's done a good job at every level he's worked at, bar the Premier League - and he's currently out of work.

"He'll be kicking his heels at the moment, because he absolutely loves football, he loves the day-to-day challenges.

"And it won't be long before a good club takes him, I'm sure of that."

Cook has been one of the front-runners for the Sunderland job since Phil Parkinson left his post last month.

"I have no idea what's been happening - and that's an honest answer to an honest question," added Richardson.

"I don't think there's been any contact, and I don't know what the end result would be if there was.

"All I know is Sunderland is a fantastic football club, and it just needs somebody to lead them back to where they want to be.

"If you're asking me whether Paul could do that...absolutely. No question about that."