Kristjaan Speakman says fans should "not get too concerned about speculation" with question marks around Bailey Wright's future.
Speakman told Sunderland Echo that the Black Cats would not let a player leave unless it suits the club.
Wigan Athletic are keen on a move for the Australian centre-back who has a year left on his deal at the Stadium of Light.
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Speakman said: "I’d always say not to get too concerned about speculation.
"What I would say is I hope there’ll be a confidence that we won’t let a player go unless it’s in a situation that suits the football club.
"We’re well blessed because we’ve got a lot of players who would complement squads in the Championship and League One, and so there will be interest in them.
"When you’ve got players coming into the final year of their deal, there will naturally be interest.
"We’ll work on a case-by-case basis, and be flexible enough to deal with any changes we need to make.
"But we’re trying to build a stronger squad, not a weaker squad."
Lee Johnson has already spoken about "open and honest" conversations he's had with Wright this summer and believes Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has not seen the best of the defender.
Johnson said: "He's got a year left on his contract.
"We've been very open and honest with Bailey all the way through.
"I don't think the new ownership have seen the best of Bailey Wright, in terms of, he's got to do better than the last ten games of last season.
"At the same time, he can, and he was a real warrior in that time because he'd been out for nine or ten weeks and then came in and had about ten games on the spin.
"We also know what he brings off the pitch more than anyone, he's a fantastic human being and a great leader for us.
"Performances have been steady but I know there's more to come."
