Real Sociedad manager David Moyes has been linked with the vacant job at Sunderland although the Scot is apparently not top of the Black Cats wish list.

Dick Advocaat departed his position as Sunderland boss on Sunday in the wake of a 2-2 home draw with West Ham on Saturday that leaves the club winless in the Premier League this season and second from bottom.

Former Everton boss Moyes took over at the La Liga club last November and kept them in the top flight.

His team have picked up just one win from seven so far this season though and are above the La Liga drop zone only on goal difference.

Sunderland are keen to have Advocaat’s successor in place before their next Premier League game at West Brom on 17th October.

Moyes’ ten years in charge at Goodison Park would stand him in good stead for the Sunderland job but it remains to be seen whether chairman Ellis Short pursues the 52-year-old Scot after his failure at Manchester United, where he succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sam Allardyce and Nigel Pearson are the front runners for the Stadium of Light position, with both out of work since departing West Ham and Leicester respectively after last season.

Burnley’s Sean Dyche is also rumoured to be on Sunderland’s shortlist.

Sunderland have flirted with relegation in each of the last two seasons.

Gus Poyet’s team made a miraculous late rally in 2013/14 to beat the drop while Advocaat came in last spring to replace the Uruguayan and help steer the club out of relegation trouble.

Sunderland have just three points from eight games this season and are 1.22 to be relegated. Bottom of the table Newcastle are 2.20 to go down to the Championship.