Former Rangers manager Ally McCoist has reportedly emerged as a contender to take over at Sunderland.
The Black Cats are in the market for a new manager after dispensing of the services of Simon Grayson on Tuesday night with the club in the Championship relegation zone.
McCoist has not had a managerial role since he departed Rangers in 2014, having guided them to the titles in the third and fourth tiers of Scottish football, and has since been working as a pundit for BT Sport.
According to the Daily Mail, the 55-year-old is keen on a return to management and has "shown an interest" in taking the vacancy at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland chief exec Martin Bain knows McCoist well from his previous incantation as the chief exec of Rangers and it has been suggested that their relationship could be key in turning around the side's fortunes.
Other names in the frame for the job include former Sunderland boss Peter Reid and ex-Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka.