Sam Allardyce tipped for rescue job at Sunderland

Sunderland 2 West Ham 2: Former Sunderland defender Sam Allardyce, who has been taking a break since leaving his post at West Ham at the end of last season, is the early favourite to take over from Dick Advocaat, who left his job as head coach yesterday just four months after being persuaded to delay his retirement plans for a year.

Sunderland remain winless in the Premier League relegation zone after West Ham came from 2-0 down to rescue a point on Saturday.

And Advocaat’s departure was confirmed in a statement in which he expressed his gratitude to the club.