A host of names from home and abroad are supposedly contenders for the position made available after the Black Cats’ decision to part company with Tony Mowbray on Monday night.
They range from Thierry Henry to Roy Keane, from Paul Heckingbottom to Will Sill and Steven Schumacher to current bookies’ favourite Julien Sable, who is the current assistant manager at Nice.
With Pompey fans well-versed on this type of process, bearing in mind the Blues’ search for Danny Cowley’s replacement is still less than 12 months ago, they know these names will get whittled down as the serious contenders get separated from the also-rans.
But until then, the Fratton faithful will recognise quite a few others who are currently ‘in the running’ for the Stadium of Light tole.
Here’s eight names they’ll be more than familiar with - either through previous Fratton Park’s positions or links with the club in recent times – as Sunderland’s search for a new manager continues.
5. Lee Bowyer
The former Charlton and Birmingham boss was interested in a return to management with Pompey last January. At the time, The News understood that the prospect of succeeding Danny Cowley at Fratton Park was one which appealed to the ex-Premier League star. However, he was never really in consideration as Pompey appointed John Mousinho. Bowyer is currently the head coach of Montserrat. Photo: Matthew Lewis
6. Luke Williams
The highly-rated Notts County boss was another hotly-fancied to take over at Pompey following Danny Cowley's exit. Nothing materialised, though, as Williams showed his Magpies loyalty by signing a new contract. The 42-year-old supposedly held advanced talks with Oxford in regards to their recent vacancy but remains with League Two County. He's currently 33/1 with the bookies for the Sunderland job. Photo: David Rogers
7. Neil Warnock
The former Huddersfield, Cardiff and Sheffield United boss has been linked with Pompey many times during his career without actually making the move to Fratton Park. He put himself forward earlier this year by telling The News he would be open to taking over as caretaker boss at Fratton Park for the remainder of the 2022-23 season, following Danny Cowley's sacking. The club, however, did not consider his offer, preferring to hand John Mousinho his first managerial position. Photo: Matt McNulty
8. Paul Cook
Pompey's 2016-17 League Two title-winning manager finds himself 30/1 in the bookies' odds for the vacant manager's job at the Stadium of Light. The former Blues boss is currently manager of National League Chesterfield, who dumped Pompey out of the FA Cup last month. Photo: Alex Livesey