Sam Allardyce has appeared in the betting to become Sunderland's new manager but any chance of the former England boss returning to the Stadium of Light is very unlikely.
Phil Parkinson was sacked as Sunderland boss on Sunday night after 13 months in charge of the club and Danny Cowley and Gus Poyet are among the early favourites to succeed him.
Allardyce has also been given odds to return to Wearside but when asked whether he would return to Sunderland last year, the 66-year-old frankly ruled out any chance of a return.
'Big Sam' enjoyed a successful 10 months across 2015 and 2016 as the Black Cats manager as he managed guide the club to Premier League safety at the expense of local rivals Newcastle.
The January arrivals of Jan Kirchhoff, Wahbi Khazri and Lamine Kone, as well as the goals of Jermain Defoe, were key to his success and there was genuine optimism heading into the 2016/17 campaign.
However, Allardyce's reward for his Sunderland success was to be appointed England manager. Since his departure, Sunderland have been relegated twice and find themselves rebuilding in League One.
Amid talk last year that the club were set to be taken over by American group MSD Partners, there was rumours that the new owners would target a return for Allardyce who is currently out of work.
But when appearing on Sky Sports' Goals on Sunday last September, Allardyce categorically ruled that out.
"At the moment I would have to say no to that," when asked if he would ever return to Sunderland as manager.
"But I had an absolutely fantastic time there and the fans were absolutely outstanding with me.
"That last week we managed to beat Chelsea on the Saturday at home, we beat Everton on the Wednesday to stay up and then we drew at Watford in the last game of the season.
"It was a brilliant short stay for me at Sunderland."
