• Premier League

O'Neill set to be offered Sunderland job

Martin O'Neill could be in place at Sunderland before the weekend © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Bruce sacking wrong - Wenger
  
• News: O'Neill set to be confirmed as Black Cats manager
  
• News: 'Hurt' Bruce to target immediate return
  
• News: Gray backs Hughes to replace Bruce
  
• Article: Liverpool to score more away success
  
• News: O'Neill and Hughes battling for Sunderland job
  
• News: Bruce sacked by Sunderland
  

Martin O'Neill is set to be offered the Sunderland job, according to ESPNsoccernet sources, and could be in place at the club he supported as a boy before the weekend's visit to Wolves.

O'Neill is the firm front-runner for the vacant job at the Stadium of Light after Steve Bruce was sacked on Wednesday - following the club's disappointing slump to 16th in the Premier League table after taking just 11 points from their opening 13 matches.

Three separate sources familiar with the situation say the former Leicester City and Aston Villa boss is set to be offered the job when talks resume on Friday.

"It is now Martin's job to lose," one told ESPNsoccernet.

O'Neill has already talked to director of international development Niall Quinn about the role and his appointment on Wearside could be announced on Friday, although he may choose not to be in the dugout for Sunday's visit to Molineux, preferring instead to evaluate his new squad from the stands.

The club are certainly keen to seal the 59-year-old's signature as soon as possible, however, with another source telling ESPNsoccernet: "Sunderland are going hell for leather to get Martin O'Neill."

Mark Hughes remains second choice if O'Neill - who has been known to have changes of heart in the past - rejects the opportunity.

O'Neill was most recently set to replace Avram Grant at West Ham United last January, but pulled out of an agreement after news of his impending appointment at Upton Park leaked before the Hammers had sacked Grant. West Ham were subsequently relegated to the Championship, whereupon the Israeli was replaced by Sam Allardyce.

The Northern Irishman has also been tipped as a potential replacement for England manager Fabio Capello at the conclusion of Euro 2012, although FA director Trevor Brooking recently hinted that the Italian could yet stay on beyond the end of his current contract.

Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has backed O'Neill's candidacy, the current Blackpool player believing he would be "perfect" for the job.

"Martin O'Neill would be perfect for the club and I would love to see him take the job," Phillips said.

"He's got so much experience and he gets the absolute best out of his players. That's what they need now - some organisation and some belief back. He's been out of the game for a while and I hear he's a Sunderland fan, so I think it would be a great acquisition.

"Mark Hughes is the other name being strongly linked and I would be happy with him as well. Sunderland have better players than they have shown this season - no way should they be in a relegation battle."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.