Sunderland are expected to appoint a caretaker manager on Wednesday after Simon Grayson was sacked with the club in the Championship relegation zone.
The Black Cats are searching for their 11th permanent manager in less than nine years after Grayson's axing was announced just minutes after Tuesday's 3-3 home draw with fellow strugglers Bolton.
It is understood an interim boss will be named on Wednesday ahead of Sunderland's clash with Middlesbrough in the Tees-Wear derby on Sunday.
First-team coach Robbie Stockdale, an ex-Boro defender, could fill that vacancy while club ambassador Kevin Ball has been in caretaker charge on two previous occasions.