Former Arsenal and Sunderland midfielder Stefan Schwarz is reportedly among the candidates being considered for the role of sporting director at the Black Cats.
With a takeover at the club imminent, prospective new owners Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus have already begun drawing up plans to reshuffle the backroom staff at the club.
Speaking on What The Falk podcast, Sky Sports presented Tom White said that the Swedish international was one of the names he had heard who was in line for the role.
Schwarz would fit the bill as a former player and coincide with reports from France suggesting that the shortlist involved someone from Scandinavia.
White said: "This obvious choice would be Stefan Schwarz. I've no idea there's any truth but it would make sense as they've said in interviews it's someone English and Scandinavian.
"It would make sense. If it was someone like Stefan Schwarz who knows the club and has had experience of running a football club - being a director of football I would say that's a choice choice.
"He has been involved in the administration of a football club."
