Italian was relieved of his duties in the north east last weekend following 3-0 reverse to the Baggies.
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Sunderland owner Ellis Short is said to be weighing up the credentials of both Gustavo Poyet and Steve McClaren to take over from the recently departed Paolo Di Canio as the next Black Cats head coach, according to reports in the Observer.
The US business tycoon dispensed with the fiery and controversial Italian last Sunday following the struggling north-east giants’ latest defeat in the Premier League to West Bromwich Albion that had left the club rock bottom of the table after the opening five rounds of matches this season.
Sunderland have so far managed to collect just the one point and are three adrift of safety going into Sunday’s live TV encounter with high-flying Liverpool at the Stadium of Light, a fixture for which caretaker manager Kevin Ball will be in charge for.
However, away from the field of play Short is understood to be deciding between former Brighton and Hove Albion boss Poyet, who has been out of work since an acrimonious split from the Championship outfit earlier this year, and one-time Middlesbrough, England, Twente, Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest coach McClaren.
And is it believed that while the Sunderland players would prefer a British boss to replace Di Canio, Italian director of football Roberto De Fanti is said to favour the appointment of a foreign manager.