Soccer: Roy Keane's exit from Sunderland leaves the Barclays Premier League strugglers searching for a new manager as they look to climb out of the relegation zone.
Possible contenders:
SAM ALLARDYCE (6/4):The 54-year-old has not worked since his ill-fated spell at Sunderland's rivals Newcastle ended in January after just over seven months. Allardyce, though, had great success during eight years at Bolton, leading them to the top flight and fighting off relegation before securing Uefa Cup qualification. An abrasive character, Allardyce has proved he can knit together a disparate team and big egos and instilled a fighting spirit the Black Cats desperately need.
ALAN CURBISHLEY (8/1):The 51-year-old is available after resigning from West Ham in September after feeling undermined by the club's board in transfer dealings. After joining the Hammers, he led them to a miraculous escape from relegation and took them to 10th place the following season. Curbishley spent 15 years at Charlton where he established them as a Premier League side on a tight budget and proved himself adept in the transfer market as well as developing young players.
PHIL BROWN (10/1):The Sunderland fan is currently the boss at Hull who he led to safety in the Coca-Cola Championship before guiding them to the Premier League the next season. The Tigers were many people's favourites for the drop this year but an astute transfer policy which saw him create a side containing both physicality and skill, saw them rise to third. Whether he would want to become embroiled in a relegation battle while still enjoying success at the KC Stadium is debatable.
DAVID O'LEARY (12/1):The Irishman has not worked in football management since his departure from Aston Villa in May 2006. O'Leary led a young Leeds side to the Champions League semi-finals and was linked to the Black Cats job in the 2002-03 season but instead he moved to the midlands. The 50-year-old played alongside Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn at Arsenal. His appointment, though, would probably not be a popular one with the fans.
STEVE BRUCE (33/1):Bruce is often linked to vacancies away from the JJB Stadium where he has been the incumbent since November 2007. The 47-year-old spent six seasons at Birmingham leading them to two promotions where he built a team which combined guile and strength. Last season saw him lead Wigan to safety in the Premier League. Bruce is from the north-east but is more often linked with Newcastle.
(All prices quoted: Paddy Power Bookmakers)
