Updated: Sky Sports announced on TV during Aston Villa vs Liverpool that according to their sources Paolo Di Canio is on his way to the North East for talks with Sunderland over the managerial vacancy.
ESPN earlier today reported that Di Canio was the early bookies favourite for the job. Original report follows; Sunderland Chairman Ellis Short will announce the successor to axed manager Martin O'Neill within the next 48 hours, according to the
Mirror. The Northern Irishman was sensationally fired last night on the back of 8 games without a win, and with the Black Cats teetering on the edge of the relegation zone, Short handed the former Leicester City manager his marching orders. It is understood former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo, former England manager Steve McClaren and former Manchester City coach Mark Hughes are the front runners for the vacancy, however, it is former Swindon Town manager Paolo Di Canio who has emerged
as the bookmaker's favourite today. With just seven Premier League fixtures remaining, Short has made it his priority to name a successor as soon as possible, and O'Neill's replacement could be revealed either later today or on Easter Monday. O'Neill's departure makes him the fifth top-flight manager to lose his job this season. He follows Di Matteo from Chelsea, Hughes from Queens Park Rangers, Nigel Adkins from Southampton and Brian McDermott from Reading. His successor will face a baptism of fire as the Black Cats' next fixture comes against European Champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on April 7th. That will be followed up by a crunch derby with rivals Newcastle on April 14th at St James' Park.