Former Manchester United and England defender Phil Neville is in the frame for the Sunderland manager's job after rejecting a reunion with David Moyes at West Ham, sources have told ESPN FC.
Sunderland are searching for a new manager after sacking Simon Grayson last week following just 18 games in charge at the Stadium of Light.
Robbie Stockdale and Billy McKinlay have been placed in caretaker charge at Sunderland, but they could not prevent the team falling to the bottom of the Championship table after losing to Middlesbrough at the weekend.