Sam Allardyce

A willing candidate, a former Sunderland player, the early favourite of the bookmakers and an obvious choice given that Niall Quinn, the chairman, spoke to him before Roy Keane’s appointment. With Allardyce out of work, compensation is not an issue, although his spell at Newcastle United was hardly glorious.

Alan Curbishley

Another to have held discussions with Quinn in 2006 and another whose status as an unemployed manager would not complicate matters. The man who worked wonders at Charlton Athletic would be a serious and studious replacement for Keane. But does he possess the charisma to fill some very big boots?

When the going got tough, Keane got going

Sunderland manager will forever be seen as having bottled it by walking away from Wearside, says Tony Cascarino

• Roy Keane shows danger of being unapproachable

• The favourites to succeed Roy Keane at Sunderland

• Roy Keane walks out on Niall Quinn and Sunderland

BACKGROUND

• Analysis: George Caulkin

• Keane must change before Sunderland unravel

How Roy Keane has spent £80m at Sunderland

Kenwyne Jones and Anton Ferdinand have been hits, but Craig Gordon and Pascal Chimbonda less so. What do you think?

• Roy Keane should have kept his mouth shut over Sunderland future

• Roy Keane feels strain as he reaches his Sunderland century

• Roy Keane factfile

Related Links

• When the going got tough, Keane got going

Gordon Strachan

An intriguing possibility, a quirky personality (one to rival Keane) who has arguably overachieved at Celtic. Familiar with the demands of the Premier League and the expectations of bigger clubs, the Scot may have done all that he can hope to do north of the border.

Phil Brown

A Sunderland fan whose newly promoted Hull City team have performed brilliantly in the Barclays Premier League this season. Could be tempted by the prospect of returning home and a bigger transfer budget, but his employers would not willingly allow him to forsake what remains a work in progress.

David O’Leary

Fancied at the bookmakers and available, but the Irish connection is no longer so strong at “Sundireland” after the arrival of Ellis Short, an American, as their majority shareholder. O’Leary would not be a popular choice among fans and is likely to be rebuffed.