Former Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has ruled himself out of the Sunderland job.
The 55-year-old coach managed Sunderland’s arch rivals Newcastle for four years from 2010.
Pardew, who has been out of work since leaving the Eagles in December, said: “Being the opposite of Newcastle, I don’t think that’s the club for me.
“Sometimes when you have been a manager at a big club like that, to go to a rival is something I wouldn’t do so that wouldn’t interest me.
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“But it is a great club and next year they really need to make sure they get back to the Premier League where they belong.”
David Moyes resigned as Sunderland manager following the club’s relegation to the Championship.
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs and Aberdeen chief Derek McInnes have been linked with the vacant position.
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