Sky Sports sources understand a Sunderland official has made contact with Martin O'Neill regarding the club's managerial position.
Short understood to not be involved in discussions at this stage
Sky Sports sources understand a high-ranking Sunderland official has made contact with Martin O'Neill regarding the club's vacant managerial position.
The Premier League club on Wednesday evening took the decision to sack Steve Bruce after chairman and owner Ellis Short opted to act following a run of poor results.
Former Blackburn, Wales, Manchester City and Fulham boss Mark Hughes had been installed by some bookmakers as the favourite to succeed Bruce at the Stadium of Light.
But O'Neill is also considered a leading candidate and initial enquires have been made to the ex-Leicester, Celtic and Aston Villa manager, who has been out of work since August 2010.
Contact
Former Sunderland chairman and now head of international development Niall Quinn is understood to be in favour of appointing O'Neill over Hughes.
On Thursday lunchtime Quinn was at the club's training ground and from there he is expected to liaise with Short.
Sunderland's owner has yet to be involved in the contact with O'Neill, but it appears he is keen to appoint a new manager as quickly as possible.
Assistant boss Eric Black has taken charge of first-team duties for an 'interim period' ahead of Sunday's important match at fellow strugglers Wolves.
