Exclusive – Stabaek chief says Bob Bradley free to join Sunderland but insists there has been no approach

Stabaek chief executive Lars Hjorth has told talkSPORT the club will not stand in Bob Bradley’s way if Sunderland come calling.

Bradley, who has been in charge of the Norwegian top-flight side for the past two years, has emerged as a surprise contender to become the Premier League strugglers’ new boss.

Hjorth insists he has yet to receive an approach from the Black Cats to speak to the American but he says the 57-year-old, who led his national team at the 2010 World Cup, would have his blessing to make the move to England.

“Bob is allowed to speak with anybody if he wants. That is the contract he made with us when he came to Stabaek,” said Hjorth, in an exclusive interview with Ian Abrahams.

“Bob has done a tremendous job here, he is a fantastic person, and if he can make the step up in his career we would wish him luck.

“We haven’t had an approach yet but if Bob got an offer from a club in the Premier League, we would be very happy for him.

“I know that one of his biggest wishes is to train a club in the Premier League so if he gets an offer, we will wish him good luck, and we will be very proud as a small club in Norway to give him the chance to do that.”

Jan Aage Fjortoft believes Bradley would be a good appointment for Sunderland, who have yet to win in the Premier League this season.

Hjorth agrees with his fellow Norwegian, claiming the former USA boss would easily adapt to English football.

“In my opinion he could take over any club in Europe without a problem, maybe apart from the biggest clubs,” he said.

“He has experience of national teams with USA and Egypt. And knowing him for the last two years as a person, as a trainer, I’m sure he would get success in any league he went to.”