A key update has emerged in Sunderland's pursuit of a new manager, with the club now able to land an experienced English coach...

What's the talk?

According to the Northern Echo, Neil Warnock has made contact with the club to make them aware of his interest in the vacant position.

The report claims that he would be open to signing a short-term contract until the end of the season to take over from Lee Johnson.

Buzzing

Fans will surely be buzzing with this news for multiple reasons.

Firstly, they will be delighted to read that he is interested in the role. It shows that he is hungry for another promotion and up for the battle of taking the Black Cats back to the Championship. Supporters will be pleased to know that he would not be in it just to collect another payday before he ends his career, this leaving them reassured that he is the man for the job.

One of his former players, Chris Morgan, previously summed up the veteran manager's desire to succeed in whatever job he takes, saying:

"The Neil Warnock people see on the touchline is a passionate man at work. He hates losing and will do everything he can to win a game of football, and if that's winding people up, or getting right into his players, he'll do whatever he needs to do. The cliche is that it's the pantomime villain - and he loves playing it.

"But if you were to do an interview with his wife Sharon she will tell you when Neil's at home with the family, he's laid back, he's a doting father and a loving husband. People find that hard to believe but sometimes it's split personalities - when you pull that shirt on and cross the white line you become a different person."

The supporters will also be buzzing with his potential appointment as he is a proven winner in the EFL. He holds the record for the most promotions in the Football League, having won his eighth with Cardiff - taking them to the Premier League in 2018.

This suggests that there is no one better to help Sunderland in their bid to finish in the automatic promotion places by the end of the campaign. Warnock has done it more than anyone else in the country and could be their best shot at getting back to the second tier, which is why Black Cats fans will be delighted with his interest in taking the role.

Kristjaan Speakman must now agree a deal with the former Middlesbrough boss to come and take over at the Stadium of Light.

AND in other news, Roberts starts, no Defoe & £5k-p/w dud axed: How SAFC's XI may look after Jan window...