Sunderland next manager contenders
We look at the contenders to be the next Sunderland manager after David Moyes resigned from his position at the relegated club.
The Scot has left his role following a season in which the Black Cats finished rock bottom of the Premier League, winning just six of their 38 games.
Sky Bet next's next Sunderland manager market is currently wide open, with plenty of familiar names on the list...
Kevin Phillips - 3/1 favourite with Sky Bet
The early money is suggesting that legendary striker Phillips is the leading contender to replace Moyes. If Sunderland are looking for a man to reignite the passion of the fans then they'll do well to find a better candidate than the prolific poacher. The 43-year-old fired them into the top flight with before landing the Golden Boot in 1999/00 with a 30-goal haul. After spending his remaining playing years of a career which spanned over 20 years at several other clubs, Phillips has moved into coaching, first with another of his former clubs Leicester and now at Derby, where he is currently the first-team coach.
Aitor Karanka - 9/2 with Sky Bet
He may have only left rivals Boro two months ago, but Karanka is the other main mover in Sky Bet's Sunderland market, being backed in from 14/1 to 9/2 shortly after betting was opened. The Spaniard revealed on Goals on Sunday he is keen to stay in England and is settled with his family in the area. He also boasts a promotion from the Sky Bet Championship, but ultimately failed to lead the Riverside side clear of the drop-zone before being replaced by Steve Agnew.
Nigel Pearson - 5/1 with Sky Bet
The 53-year-old may have finished his playing career at rivals Boro, but he is shorter odds to take over at the Stadium of Light. Pearson certainly has promotion pedigree, having led Leicester to the League One and Championship titles, but left both the Foxes and Derby in controversial circumstances. Whether chairman Ellis Short is keen to appoint such a divisive character following Moyes' problems with the media remains to be seen, but the odds suggest he's an option.
Could this be the job for Giggs to take the plunge into management? The Manchester United legend is yet to extend his experience beyond his assistant role at Old Trafford, despite being linked with a host of vacancies. He was most recently favourite to be the next Middlesbrough manager, although Leeds boss Garry Monk has since emerged at the head of that market.
As above, Monk has already been backed in to favourite to be the next Middlesbrough manager with his Leeds future up in the air. The former Swansea boss is yet to extend his 12-month deal at Elland Road amid the pending takeover by co-owner Andrea Radrizzani. Monk's stock has risen during the season but missed out on leading Leeds into the play-offs on the final day of the Sky Bet Championship campaign.
Other options
Alan Pardew is out of work following his Crystal Palace exit and is next in the betting at 9/1, a similar price to his odds of taking over at Sunderland. Huddersfield manager David Wagner follows in the betting at 11/1 and is sure to attract more links if the Terriers fail to win the Sky Bet Championship play-off final. Former Norwich manager Alex Neil and Luton boss Nathan Jones follow at 14/1 apiece, while club legend and former caretaker Kevin Ball is a 16/1 chance.
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