Steve Bruce's hold on the Sunderland job could be loosening after a report claimed Martin O'Neill had been sounded out about succeeding him.
The Sunday Express says former Aston Villa and Celtic manager O'Neill refused to discuss the Black Cats role while pal Bruce was in charge.
O'Neill, who has also been linked with old club Nottingham Forest, has been out of work since quitting Villa days before the start of last season.
He is a boyhood Sunderland fan and is thought to be friendly with the club's billionaire chairman Ellis Short.
