Sunderland are set to interview Roy Kane for their vacant manager position, following the dismissal of Lee Johnson.
Johnson was given his marching orders after the Black Cats fell to a disastrous 6-0 defeat to Bolton on Saturday, a result which left them third in League One, five points adrift of leaders Rotherham who also have a game in hand.
Their search for a new manager has now begun, and according to the Daily Mail, Sunderland could be ready to turn to an old face to get their automatic promotion bid back on track.
Keane, who is currently working as a Sky Sports pundit, was previously in charge at the Stadium of Light between 2006 and 2008. He initially enjoyed great success, taking over in August with Sunderland bottom of the table and leading them to Championship promotion.
Keane went on to keep the Black Cats in the Premier League during the 2007/08 campaign before falling out with the board and being dismissed the following season.
Over a decade later, he could return to the North East. Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman are understood to be expecting to have a conversation with Keane soon. It is said that he retains support from within the club too.
Keane has not managed since leaving Ipswich Town in 2011, but has repeatedly stated his desire to return to the dugout in recent times. His last job was as Martin O'Neill's assistant at Nottingham Forest.
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Source : 90min