As it stands, Mike Dodds is set to take interim charge of the side when they face West Brom on Saturday lunchtime. An appointment before then appears unlikely at this stage, though the picture can quickly.
Here, though, we take a look at the field of candidates to replace Mowbray at the Academy of Light and who the clear favourites are. Given the scale of Sunderland’s scouting network and data analysis, don’t be surprised if the name of the eventual new boss hasn’t yet emerged:
![Having left Sheffield United he's featured high on the bookies' list and that makes sense. He is a former Sunderland youth player and was close to taking the job before Chris Coleman eventually did many years ago, wisely deciding that the state of play at the club then made it too much of a risk. He's done superbly at Sheffield United despite the disappointing ending, developing many young players and achieving results in difficult circumstances. Fits some of Sunderland's criteria, even if the early sense is that they may well look abroad. Also doubts over how quickly he'd want to return to management.
6.5/10](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjFmMzQ0ZGEwLTVmMDgtNDdkMi1iYzRiLTliMGRlZDlmZDU4OTo2YWYxMTk2NS0xNjM0LTRiOTMtYjlkNS1hM2VmNGE0MTNhM2E=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. Paul Heckingbottom
Having left Sheffield United he's featured high on the bookies' list and that makes sense. He is a former Sunderland youth player and was close to taking the job before Chris Coleman eventually did many years ago, wisely deciding that the state of play at the club then made it too much of a risk. He's done superbly at Sheffield United despite the disappointing ending, developing many young players and achieving results in difficult circumstances. Fits some of Sunderland's criteria, even if the early sense is that they may well look abroad. Also doubts over how quickly he'd want to return to management. 6.5/10 Photo: Matt McNulty
![Hellberg is reportedly set to meet Louis-Dreyfus on Thursday. The young Swedish head coach was said to be close to replacing now QPR boss Marti Cifuentes at Hammarby, but is now in the running for the Sunderland role. Has overachieved significantly in his current role, which is no doubt what has brought him onto Sunderland's radar.
7.5/10](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmI1MzUwZTFhLWUwMmMtNGQ1NC05OGE1LWUzZGQ1ZmUwMDJkMDo3ODRiNjM3Zi03NTcwLTRiNGQtODZkYi1kYTI4ZjRmMTM4ZmI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. Kim Hellberg
Hellberg is reportedly set to meet Louis-Dreyfus on Thursday. The young Swedish head coach was said to be close to replacing now QPR boss Marti Cifuentes at Hammarby, but is now in the running for the Sunderland role. Has overachieved significantly in his current role, which is no doubt what has brought him onto Sunderland's radar. 7.5/10 Photo: Linnea Rheborg
![The former Lille man is a very experienced boss who has managed a huge amount of games in Ligue 1. Would fit some elements of Sunderland's criteria but there have been no real suggestions he is in contention up to this stage. 4/10](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmI0M2ZiYzgzLTJjOWEtNDM0Ny04ZTRiLWNjOTE1NWRhZTU1NDowZTgwMTA1ZS00NWFiLTQwMDktODU5Mi05YmUxN2QyYmNkNDI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. Jocelyn Gourvennec
The former Lille man is a very experienced boss who has managed a huge amount of games in Ligue 1. Would fit some elements of Sunderland's criteria but there have been no real suggestions he is in contention up to this stage. 4/10 Photo: LOIC VENANCE
![Roy's connection with the club and his Ligue 1 experience made him an early name in the bookies' list, and he has worked in English football recently as a Sporting Director at Watford. No indications at all that he's in contention at this stage.
3/10](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjA2YWU4MDlhLTNmMDItNDY0ZS1hZDZhLTI5YmEwZjljNzdhYzoyNjZlYTI3Ni02NGNmLTQ5OWMtOWQ2MC1hOWY2OWUyNzVkN2Q=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. Eric Roy
Roy's connection with the club and his Ligue 1 experience made him an early name in the bookies' list, and he has worked in English football recently as a Sporting Director at Watford. No indications at all that he's in contention at this stage. 3/10 Photo: KENZO TRIBOUILLARD