By Matt Lawton and Colin Young
Last updated at 12:41 AM on 2nd December 2011
Sunderland expect to name Martin O'Neill as their new manager on Friday.
The Northern Irishman met club owner Ellis Short in London on Thursday night and Sportsmail understands discussions went well, though they have yet to finalise financial details. But the talks ended with Sunderland hopeful of having O'Neill in the stands as their manager for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash at Wolves.
Further talks will take place on Friday to discuss money but O'Neill wants the job and neither sides expects any last-minute hitches. He should, therefore, take charge of Sunderland's home game against Blackburn a week on Sunday.
No 1 target: Sunderland look to have got their man
O'Neill faces a daunting task following the sacking of Steve Bruce on Wednesday. But he is keen on a return to management after a year's break since his departure from Villa Park. He is even prepared to work with any restrictions that may be laid down in the next two transfer windows.
O'Neill emerged as Sunderland's first choice after Short decided to end Bruce's two-and-a-half-year reign earlier in the week in the wake of the club's poor start to the season.
The former Villa and Celtic boss may not be able to guarantee improved fortunes, but his appointment is certain to excite supporters who turned on Bruce in Saturday's home defeat by Wigan, and during the weeks and months preceding it.
That is a key factor for Short, who has seen attendances fall below 40,000 as Sunderland have struggled to win at home. The chairman was not convinced Bruce could win over supporters who were still turning up, never mind bring back the absentees.
Sunderland's relatively limited spending power is not expected to be a hurdle for a manager who worked with limited budgets at Leicester and Celtic.
Bruce was not certain of having much money to invest in January, despite balancing the books over the last 12 months with the sales of Jordan Henderson and Darren Bent and the addition of 11 players in the summer.
Struggling: Sunderland are just two points above the drop zone
The dismissal of Bruce has also left Sunderland with the awkward task of dealing with his coaching, medical and scouting staff.
His assistant Eric Black takes charge of the first team today and he is likely to pick the side for the trip to Wolves.
O'Neill would want to bring in his own staff. His long-term assistant John Robertson is now understood to prefer a part-time role, and Steve Walford will be appointed as No 2 if O'Neill gets his way.
Short, his predecessor Niall Quinn and Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne sifted through the other likely candidates on Thursday morning in case talks with O'Neill break down.
Mark Hughes, who is also desperate for a return to the Barclays Premier League, will be one of the main candidates if O'Neill and Sunderland fail to agree terms. Former England boss Steve McClaren would also come into the running, while Short may yet explore the option of looking abroad.
Meanwhile, Premier League managers on Thursday expressed their disappointment after Bruce became the first manager in the division to be sacked this season.
Sacked: Steve Bruce was given his marching orders on Wednesday
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, whose win at the Stadium of Light marked the start of Bruce's demise, said: 'On a personal level, I feel for Steve. On a professional level, I could not care less who gets the job.
'He was Crystal Palace manager and his assistant Terry Bullivant gave me my first start. I know him reasonably well. I have great sympathy for him losing his job. It's difficult when results aren't what you want and they weren't what Steve wanted. I know he was desperate to get another game but unfortunately he didn't get it.'
Under-fire Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, who faces Newcastle on Saturday, said: 'That's the reality of the modern game. Sometimes people demand a lot from you and expect a lot from you and when the board decides you are not up to their expectations, they kick you out.'
Wigan's Roberto Martinez, whose side pulled off the shock weekend win, said Bruce should have been given more time.
He said: 'There have been a lot of players coming into that dressing room.
'You don't really know what is happening at other football clubs, but you feel time is needed when you bring a lot of players in for them to settle in and for them to feel themselves and perform at their best.
'It always takes time, so that was a little bit of a surprise - but then, unfortunately, in football, nothing really surprises you any more.'
Both have the guts to walk if they are let down by club hierarchy. Shows they have strong characters and the necessary ego to expect the best out of everyone, and not settle for anything less. Glad I'm not in Bendtner's shoes.
- Teknicol, Rio Valley, Texas., 02/12/2011 04:05
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