The names in the frame for Cats’ job

GUS Poyet and Paul Cook are among the bookies early favourites to replace Phil Parkinson as manager of Sunderland.

The Black Cats parted company with Parkinson last night after 13 months at the helm.

He leaves with the club seven points adrift of League One leaders Hull.

SkyBet have former Sunderland manager Poyet as the favourite at 2/1.

Cook, who resigned from his role at Wigan Athletic in the summer following a 12-point deduction and relegation to the Championship, is the early favourite on BetVictor at 4/1.

Former Huddersfield Town and Lincoln City manager, Danny Cowley is also among the front runners at 5/1.

Lee Johnson, who left Bristol City in July is 6/1, while current Doncaster Rovers’ boss Darren Moore is also among the bookies early favourites at 8/1.

Former Black Cats manager Roy Keane is 12/1 to take over at the helm again at the Stadium of Light.

Another name familiar to Black Cats fans is Sam Allardyce, whom the bookies have priced at 14/1.

Ex Watford and Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson is an outside shout from the bookies at 20/1.

Last week he was linked with a return to management in the North East with the Black Cats and it was claimed he would bring Black Cats’ legend Kevin Phillips back to the Stadium of Light in some capacity.

Latest Sunderland managerial odds: Gus Poyet 2/1, Paul Cook 4/1, Danny Cowley 5/1, Lee Johnson 6/1, Darren Moore 8/1, Roy Keane 12/1, Gary Holt 12/1, Derek McInnes 12/1, Malky Mackay 12/1, Michael Appleton 14/1, Michael Flynn 14/1, Simon Grayson 14/1, Nigel Adkins 16/1, Graham Alexander 16/1, Gary Bowyer 16/1, Gary Caldwell 16/1, Sol Campbell 16/1, Nigel Pearson 20/1.

■EX-Sunderland forward Maro Gabbiadini said Phil Parkinson brought his sacking on himself.

He said: “It is so sad Sunderland have had to sack yet another manager - but if ever a manager brought it on himself in his recent reactions in games to a lack of pace and a lack of desire it was Parky.”