Next Sunderland manager: Six contenders for the role

We look at the leading candidates to be the next Sunderland manager following Gus Poyet's sacking on Monday afternoon.

Dick Advocaat – 8/11

The Dutchman has been out of work since resigning as manager of Serbia four months ago, but he boasts an extensive, impressive CV with over 30 years of managerial experience since retiring as a player in 1984. He’s best known in the UK for his time with Rangers, where he won two league titles, two Scottish Cups and a Scottish League Cup. He’s also won the UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup with Zenit Saint Petersburg, plus the Eredivisie with PSV. Thus, he’s comfortably the most experienced manager on the list of candidates for Sunderland and is therefore the early favourite for the role.

Sam Allardyce – 6/1

If the rumours are to be believed, Sam Allardyce will not be handed a contract extension by West Ham at the end of the season. A former Sunderland player, Allardyce is a viable option for Black Cats owner Ellis Short, who is eager to find the man who can turn Sunderland into a mid-table force rather than regular relegation candidates. Allardyce certainly has the credentials to bring the club to another level, having done so with Bolton, Blackburn and the Hammers. Meanwhile, his ill-fated spell at Newcastle may serve as motivation to return to the north east with their bitterest rivals.

Michael Laudrup – 18/1

The former Swansea manager is currently in charge of Qatar side Lekhwiya and was tipped to take over at QPR last month before ruling himself out. Laudrup, whose side are top of the Qatar Stars League, cited Lekhwiya’s involvement in the AFC Champions League as a motivation for staying with the club. However, they currently sit bottom of their group with no wins. Laudrup is contracted to Lekhwiya until June 30 and appears committed to honouring his agreement, so any potential move to Sunderland may have to wait until the summer.

Harry Redknapp – 20/1

Redknapp resigned from QPR rather abruptly last month, claiming imminent surgery on both knees would restrict him from doing his job to the best of his ability. “When I've had the operations, I'll be looking for work again,” he said. It’s unclear how much progress, if any, Redknapp has made with his knees in the five weeks since he stepped down, but it’s difficult to see him staying away from the game for long. However, Sunderland’s relegation battle is likely to have come too soon for the former Tottenham manager, hence his long odds as a major outsider.

Glenn Hoddle – 20/1

Although he hasn’t directly managed a side since Wolves in 2006, Hoddle has been back in the game recently as a member of Harry Redknapp’s backroom staff at QPR. The Tottenham legend followed Redknapp out the Loftus Road door last month, but hinted at unfinished business in the industry. “I have enjoyed coming back into coaching and I thanked Harry for giving me that opportunity to tip my toe back into the coaching arena,” he said. Throwing himself back into the mix with a relegation battle may be too daunting a task for the 57-year-old, and Sky Bet make him another outsider for the permanent position.

Paul Lambert – 18/1

The former Norwich boss is out of work after being sacked by Aston Villa last month following two and a half years at the club. Before moving to Villa Park, Lambert was widely praised for his work with the Canaries, having guided them to back-to-back promotions, before avoiding relegation in their first season back in the Premier League. His rollercoaster time at Villa was restricted by a lack of investment from the club’s owners, but he oversaw famous wins for the Villans at the Emirates and twice at Anfield. A constant will to invest in the side is apparent at Sunderland, so the vacancy is sure to appeal to the available Scot.

<a href="http://www.skybet.com/go/event/17654827?aff=9713&dcmp=ss_betlink_EditSunderlandContenders">"Someone like Dick Advocaat fits the bill. I think it’s a challenge that would appeal to him, even if it’s just for the nine games. He’s available and very, very experienced, so maybe that’s the sensible short-term option."</a>

Odds are subject to change. New customers of Sky Bet can claim a free £20 bet off their first £5 stake.