Sunderland are reportedly considering an approach for Patrick Vieira to manage the club if Dick Advocaat leaves his post.
The Black Cats are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table after their 3-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday left them winless from their first seven games of the season.
The Mirror claims that Manchester City youth coach Vieira was on the club's shortlist of people to take over from Gus Poyet in March, and the paper suggests that they will explore his availability again if the Dutch boss resigns or is sacked.
The report goes on to allege that Advocaat is prepared to step down if a better candidate comes along, although City are determined to keep the former Arsenal captain on at the club to help oversee their youth development.
Excluding caretaker bosses, Sunderland have had eight managers in the last nine years.
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