2. Gianfranco Zola
Another likable Italian in line for the Sunderland job is Gianfranco Zola. There aren't many managers who can almost instantaneously win the backing of fans having spent so long playing for their derby rivals, but Zola achieved that feat. The former Chelsea forward spent two years in charge of West Ham United and was welcomed by both sets of supporters in equal measure during home and away ties between the two clubs. After leaving the Hammers, Zola went to Watford where he guided the Yellow Army into third place in the Championship and to the play-off final at Wembley Stadium, where his side were defeated by Crystal Palace earlier this year. Zola has entered the final season of his two-year contract at Vicarage Road and is one of the early front-runners for the Sunderland job, according to the
Metro.