Sunderland sporting director Lee Congerton has begun the hunt for a short-term successor to axed Gus Poyet to coach the team until the end of the season, when a longer-term replacement will be sought. Negotiations are under way to potentially bring in Dick Advocaat, the 67-year-old former Rangers manager who is out of work after stepping down as Serbia's coach last November.
Other temporary candidates are under consideration and it is possible that the Black Cats could look inside their youth academy and place Kevin Ball and Paul Bracewell in immediate charge.
