Sunderland are planning to interview Roy Keane over what would be a sensational return to the Stadium of Light.
Sportsmail understands the club’s hierarchy are hoping to speak with the former boss in the coming days.
Keane, who led the Black Cats to the Championship title in 2007, has strong support from within the club and is seen as the type of character they need to reignite their League One promotion push.
Sunderland sacked manager Lee Johnson on Sunday on the back of a 6-0 defeat at Bolton which left them third in the table.
Keane has been out of football since leaving Nottingham Forest as an assistant in 2019 but has made no secret of his desire to return to the dugout, with his last top job coming 11 years ago at Ipswich Town.
The 50-year-old Manchester United legend has become an engaging pundit and worked in the media, primarily with Sky Sports in recent years.
But he could now take the reins at Sunderland, tasked with steering them to the Championship this season.
The north east club currently reside in third place behind Rotherham and Wigan, five points off the summit.
Keane was in charge at Sunderland from 2006-08 during his first spell at the helm, ultimately resigning, citing differences between Ellis Short and a strained relationship with Niall Quinn as factors behind the decision.
He led the team to the Championship title and was awarded Manager of the Season. The next year was tough but Sunderland stayed up with two games to spare.
Keane stood down midway through the following campaign with the Black Cats in the relegation zone.
It remains to be seen whether Keane's management style has softened in the intervening years as his reputation as a ruthless player carried over to the dugout.
He caused a stir by placing Liam Miller on the transfer list for regularly turning up for meetings and one one occasion left three players behind at an away game after they were late for the bus.
Mick McCarthy is another option for Sunderland and he has contacted the club about the vacancy.
McCarthy has been out of work since being sacked by Cardiff City in October, with the Bluebirds 21st in the Championship table at the time.