Sam Allardyce is the frontrunner to take over as Sunderland boss following Dick Advocaat’s exit on Sunday, with Burnley boss Sean Dyche also in the frame.

Advocaat quit as Black Cats chief following Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home with West Ham after failing to lead Sunderland to a single victory in eight Premier League games so far this season.

The Wearsiders sit second bottom in the table on just three points and whoever comes in as Advocaat’s replacement will have a tough job on their hands to lead the side away from the relegation zone.

Former Sunderland defender and ex-West Ham boss Allardyce is the early frontrunner for the job and ‘Big Sam’ is believed to be keen to return to Premier League management as soon as possible.

Allardyce, who also had a spell in charge of the Black Cats’ arch-rivals Newcastle between 2007-08, is seen as someone who could make the Black Cats difficult to beat and has plenty of experience fighting relegation battles during eight years at Bolton.

Burnley boss Dyche is another candidate, with reports suggesting he has already been sounded out over the possibility of taking over at the Stadium of Light, although it is unclear if he is prepared to leave the Clarets mid-way through the season as he aims to lead them back up to the top flight from the Championship.

Other names in the frame include former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson, while ex-Swansea boss Michael Laudrup and Manchester City coach Patrick Vieira have also been linked with the job.

The Black Cats are not in any immediate rush to appoint a new boss with the international break now taking effect but it is hoped a new man will be in place for the club’s next game at West Brom on October 17 (Sunderland 4.20 West Brom 1.91 draw 3.30 – match betting).