SAM ALLARDYCE would want assurances that cash was available for squad investment in January if Sunderland are to stand any chance of persuading him to succeed Dick Advocaat at the Stadium of Light.

The Contenders: Who should get the Sunderland manager job?

Ellis Short, the Black Cats owner, is looking for his eighth permanent manager in seven years following Advocaat’s decision to quit the club seven months after initially taking over on a short-term deal.

And Allardyce, the former Sunderland defender who is out of work after leaving West Ham at the end of last season, has been installed as the bookmakers favourite for the job and is under serious consideration by Short.

There is also strong interest in Burnley’s Sean Dyche, while former Leicester manager Nigel Pearson, Manchester City coach Patrick Vieira and ex-Real Madrid chief Bernd Schuster are among the early front-runners for the role.

Sunderland are looking to make an appointment before the trip to West Brom on Saturday week. That is one of the reasons why there is no plan to name a caretaker boss at this stage. Paul Bracewell and Robbie Stockdale will be heavily involved on the training ground during the international break.

But Short will have to use all of his powers of persuasion to convince Allardyce that Sunderland is the right club to step back into management with if he decides that is the best route to go.

The former Newcastle manager – who turns 61 two days after Sunderland’s match at the Hawthorns – is understood to have major reservations about pushing for the role.

As well as Sunderland’s lowly position in the Premier League after failing to win any of their eight games this season, he is of the belief that there is a need for further squad strengthening when the transfer window opens in the new year.

There have also been suggestions that he would not be overly keen on working in a director of football-type model, although claims sporting director Lee Congerton is set to leave the club could also lead to a rethink in the boardroom on that front.

Short cannot afford to dawdle with Sunderland already five points adrift of safety, but his comments after confirmation of Advocaat’s departure suggested it was a move he had to reluctantly accept.

“I am truly saddened by Dick’s decision, but I respect him for his honesty and for doing what he feels is right for the club,” said Short. “He is a man of integrity and a true football person.

“He was hugely respectful of the club in taking this decision and he acted 100 per cent in our best interests. It is also testament to his character that he has forgone any kind of a financial settlement, something which is very unusual in football.

“I want to place on record my sincere thanks to Dick. He will be remembered with great affection by everyone at Sunderland and there will always be a warm welcome for him here at the Stadium of Light.

“While this isn’t a situation any of us envisaged being in, what is important now is that we regroup quickly and focus on the rest of the season.”

Advocaat is now expected to enjoy his retirement with his wife Dieuwke, which had been originally scheduled to start at the end of last season.

But his decision to return to Sunderland did not go to plan, with the summer transfer business taking longer than he anticipated and there has not been the progress he had hoped for since.

He admitted he had been considering his future after Saturday’s encouraging 2-2 draw with West Ham and yesterday afternoon he finally delivered his verdict in a club statement after days of speculation.

Advocaat said: “I want to thank everyone who has stood behind me. This is a very special football club, with so many great people, but I feel it is the right time to do this - not for me, but for the club.

“I have made the decision to go after only eight games as I felt it was important to give everyone time to turn things around - like we did last year. I am thankful to the chairman for understanding my feelings and I remain on good terms with everyone at the club.

“I wish Ellis, Lee (Congerton), all of the staff, players and of course the supporters, who made me feel so welcome here, the very best of luck for the rest of the season. I have some wonderful memories to take with me and I hope I will return to see everybody again in the future.”

NEXT MANAGER ODDS

Sam Allardyce 6/5
Sean Dyche 7/2
Walter Mazzarri 4/1
Nigel Pearson 9/2
Brendan Rodgers 6/1
Michael Laudrup 10/1
Harry Redknapp 12/1
Patrick Viera 14/1
David Moyes 20/1
Neil Lennon 25/1
Kevin Ball 25/1
Paul Bracewell 25/1
Paul Lambert 25/1
Frank De Boer 25/1

Odds from Bet Victor