Former Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce and Celtic manager Gordon Strachan are the two early front runners to take over from Roy Keane at Sunderland.

Keane's resignation after days of speculation left his former Republic of Ireland team-mate Niall Quinn, the club's chairman, looking for a replacement 27 months after believing he had landed the right man for the job.

But in Allardyce, the former boss of Bolton and Newcastle, Quinn has a manager keen to fill the hot seat.

"Sunderland are a great club so of course I'd be interested in talking to them," said Allardyce, who quit Newcastle 10 months ago.

"I have huge respect for Niall Quinn and the job he has done."

Allardyce, who made 25 appearances for Sunderland in the early Eighties, added: "I enjoyed [my time] at Sunderland and also when I did some coaching work there.

"I also know how passionate the fans are about their team."

Allardyce's candidacy has also been backed by Kevin Nolan, who was his captain at Bolton.

"I would definitely give the job to Sam if I was Sunderland chairman - no doubt about it," he said.

But Sunderland's supporters may not take too kindly to him taking charge after such a disastrous spell at their rivals from St James' Park, where he lasted only eight months.

Strachan, meanwhile, would appear to have taken Celtic as far as they can go after three years in charge.

The club's exit from European football this season - they will finish bottom of their Champions League group - could signal the end for him at Celtic Park.