O'Neill has become the favourite for the job after Steve Bruce's dismissal on Wednesday night.
The former Aston Villa and Celtic boss has agreed in principle to take the job, according to BBC Sport.
Sunderland are currently two points off the relegation zone in 16th place.
An official club announcement is expected today.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 16 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 28 | 12 | 16 | 32 |
| 2 | Sunderland | 16 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 26 | 12 | 14 | 32 |
| 3 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 9 | 12 | 32 |
| 4 | Burnley | 16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 19 | 6 | 13 | 30 |
| 5 | Middlesbrough | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 19 | 10 | 27 |
| 6 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 16 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 26 |
| 7 | Watford | 16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 25 | 24 | 1 | 26 |
| 8 | Millwall | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 24 |
| 9 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 22 |
| 10 | Bristol City | 16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 22 |
| 11 | Derby CountyDerby | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 12 | Stoke CityStoke | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 19 | 20 | -1 | 20 |
| 13 | Norwich CityNorwich | 16 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 25 | 24 | 1 | 19 |
| 14 | Swansea CitySwansea | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 19 |
| 15 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 19 |
| 16 | Luton TownLuton | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 18 |
| 17 | Coventry CityCoventry | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 22 | 23 | -1 | 17 |
| 18 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 19 | 24 | -5 | 17 |
| 19 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 28 | -11 | 17 |
| 20 | Preston North EndPreston | 16 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 16 | 24 | -8 | 16 |
| 21 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 24 | -9 | 16 |
| 22 | Hull City | 16 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 21 | -5 | 15 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | 15 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 28 | -12 | 12 |
| 24 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 16 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 26 | -13 | 11 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
