Ricki Herbert to Manage Sunderland?

After a very poor run of results, the Black Cats have sacked manager, Steve Bruce this morning.

The former Manchester United defender & manager of Crystal Palace, Birmingham City & Wigan Athletic had taken the club to 10th last season.

However with the club teetering 2 points above the drop zone despite apparently making the most of the money made from selling Darren Bent & Jordan Henderson, Bruce's departure was really no surprise.

So who are the favourites to replace Bruce at the Stadium of Light?

Mark Hughes - surprisingly left Fulham earlier this year - probably thinking he was in at Aston Villa. Good fit for the club.

Martin O'Neill - one of the finest managers in the game and probably due for a comeback.


Rafa Benitez - blotted his copybook recently at Inter but still a decent manager. But maybe has too much baggage?

Gordon Strachan - now very much a media pundit but was an excellent manager at Celtic, Coventry and Southampton. Last job at Boro was handicapped by lack of transfer funds.Maybe?

Ricki Herbert - just a joke to get more Kiwi readers for my blog! But he has done a superb job at the Nix and with the All Whites!