Ex-Sunderland boss Gus Poyet remains leading contender for Stadium of Light return

Poyet was quickly installed as the early favourite when Phil Parkinson was sacked on Sunday afternoon and it is known Poyet would be keen on a return to Sunderland one day.

Other names in the frame include Paul Cook, Danny Cowley, Nigel Pearson, with Lee Johnson and Daniel Stendel also high up in the betting.

Poyet, who left Sunderland in 2015, has previously said he’d be open to a return one day.

In recent weeks – prior to Parkinson’s dismissal - he told the ‘Speaking Sunderland’ podcast: “Could I return? Yes, of course,” said Poyet.

“Because there are things that are still possible to change. It’s a different situation, but it’s something that…when you’ve been in a club and you’ve been so close to people and then everyone watches the series ‘Sunderland Til I Die’ and the first thing they do, is they call you and ask you (about it).

"You’ve been there, and it confirmed things you already told them because that’s what ‘Sunderland Til I Die’ does, confirms to people things I told them when I left Sunderland.

“It’s like, you want to go back because it’s typical South American passion, you know, the fans. So, that relationship we made with the fans, even if it didn’t finish in the best way, I am still thinking that it’s possible to do something important there."

Sunderland fan Q&A with Phil Smith

We held a Q&A manager special with Phil Smith on Monday and he was asked about Poyet:

PS: “Gus Poyet is probably the most interesting name on the list for a number of reasons, not least because he has recently been very vocal on being open to a return somewhere along the line.

It ended badly last time around, but the quality of the football at times will be fresh in everyone’s mind.

He knows this league and has succeeded in it, but has a defined style that you could carry with you for a few years.

It would be very interesting to see him work with the current regime, though. He wasn’t shy of voicing his opinions last time around and his recent jobs have suggested that hasn’t changed."

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