Sunderland have not approached Bob Bradley, say Norwegian club Stabaek

Sunderland have not approached Stabaek concerning manager Bob Bradley, the Norwegian side have told Sky Sports News HQ.

Sky sources understand Sam Allardyce is in contention for the vacant role at the Black Cats, as well as Burnley boss Sean Dyche, and the club have been inundated with offers from interested parties.

It is also SSNHQ's understanding that Sunderland, searching for a sixth boss in four years, are currently considering only those with Premier League experience for their managerial vacancy which would seem to rule out Bradley.

Several newspaper reports earlier on Wednesday suggested Bradley, former coach with the USA, was a contender for the post at the Stadium of Light.

However, a spokesperson at Stabaek told SSNHQ they had not received any approach from Sunderland for Bradley, nor had anyone from Sunderland been in contact with Bradley himself.

The Norwegian top-flight club insist at this point that any reports linking Sunderland with Bradley are "pure speculation".

Bradley, who has also coached Egypt, has steered Stabaek into a title-challenging position having only overseen promotion two years ago.

Sky sources understand that Sunderland will take their time to appoint a successor to Dick Advocaat, who resigned as boss with the team second bottom of the Premier League on Sunday.

Sky Sports' north-east reporter Keith Downie, reporting from the Stadium of Light, said: "Sunderland have been inundated with job applications over the last 48 hours.

"There is no clear favourite to take over from Dick Advocaat but the club is undertaking a process of due diligence on potential candidates, so any appointment may be some time away.

"Ideally they'd like a manager in before the next Premier League game against West Brom after the international break, but what is key is to choose the right man to take the club forward. They won't make any rash decisions."