Sunderland are eyeing a seasoned former Premier League manager to fill their vacant position, having parted ways with Michael Beale.
The Championship side are looking for a long-term boss after caretaker boss Michael Dodds was just a temporary solution.
The Black Cats currently sit in 12th place in the Championship, facing 19th-placed Blackburn Rovers on Monday.
With Michael Dodds serving as caretaker boss and having recently sacked Michael Beale, Sunderland are eager for stability for the end of the campaign and into the 2024-25 season.
Beale was appointed as Black Cats boss just before Christmas, though he wasn't happy with things behind the scenes, leaving the club after winning just two of his 12 games in charge, despite signing a deal until the end of the 2025-26 season
Michael Beale was sacked in February after just two wins in 12 games in charge
Sunderland are currently in 12th spot in the Championship table
Michael Dodds took over as a caretaker boss for the Black Cats
Paul Heckingbottom has emerged as a frontrunner for the spot at Sunderland
Chris Wilder took over as Sheffield United boss after Heckingbottom was sacked in December
It's former Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom who has emerged as the frontrunner for the managerial spot, according to The Sun.