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:
![Sits bizarrely high on the bookies' list - will not be the next Sunderland head coach.
1/10](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjllZmQ3YzU4LTg0NmQtNDNmNi05YzA0LWE1OGExY2VmYzk4ZDoxMmM3YWM4NC05YWYwLTQ0NWYtYWZhYi0xMGQ5YzExNzllNGM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
21. Steve Bruce
Sits bizarrely high on the bookies' list - will not be the next Sunderland head coach. 1/10 Photo: Lewis Storey