Roy Keane finds himself among the favourites to become the next manager of Sunderland.
The position at the Stadium of Light is vacant following the sacking of Jack Ross on Tuesday.
The 43-year-old Scot was appointed by the Sky Bet League One club in May 2018 and led them to two Wembley appearances last season, the Checkatrade Trophy and League One play-off finals - but they won neither.
Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Lincoln leaves the Black Cats sixth in League One, eight points behind leaders Ipswich.
Former Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel has been backed into the favourite to replace Ross at the club - with the Tykes allowing him to leave following one win in eleven Sky Bet Championship games.
Ex-Manchester United midfielder Keane started his managerial career at Sunderland, guiding them to promotion to the Premier League in the 2006/07 season.
In 100 games on the sideline, Keane would earn victory in 42 before moving on to Ipswich where he posted at 35% win ratio.
Next permanent Sunderland manager (odds via Sky Bet)
- Daniel Stendel - 2/1
- Phil Parkinson - 5/1
- Roy Keane - 5/1
- Gary Rowett - 8/1
- Kevin Phillips - 10/1
- Mick Harford - 10/1
- Neil Harris - 14/1
'Chairmen unlikely to risk Keane'
Former Brighton boss Chris Hughton has stated that Keane's fierce reputation may mean football club chairmen avoid appointing him.
"The difference between Roy and a lot of people is he doesn't care what people think of him," Hughton said. "That means he occasionally says things that might be viewed as being a little over the line.
"When he speaks constructively, he is great to listen to, but then he will say something that goes the other way and people have got to the stage of shrugging shoulders and saying, 'that’s Roy'.
"There are guidelines we all follow now and even if we think one thing, we have to be able to control what we say when you are in a position of responsibility.
"Maybe Roy doesn't like to follow those guidelines at times and that’s why people may have a negative view of him, but I think he is very interesting when he speaks."
Allardyce not interested
Former Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has ruled himself out of the running for the position.
Allardyce was in charge of the Black Cats from October 2015 to July 2016, when he left to take the England job.
He would keep Sunderland in the Premier League despite them gaining just three points from their opening eight games of the 2015/16 campaign.
He told TalkSPORT: "Unfortunately, I'd have to say no to that. There's no chance.
"I loved my time there but I don't think it's right to go back."
Odds correct at 1545 BST (08/10/19)
