Former Sunderland captain Michael Gray sees Sam Allardyce as their next manager.
Should Dick Advocaat walk away, Gray believes Allardyce - set to leave West Ham - would be the ideal man to take the reins.
He told the Daily Star Sunday: "We've all seen Sam Allardyce's record in the Premier League.
"And for the first half of the season I thought West Ham were absolutely fantastic.
"There is no doubting that. He knows where there is a bargain as well and he certainly knows how to get results. I'd take Allardyce tomorrow if it's not going to be Dick Advocaat.
"There will be a guy coming into the football club who is passionate. He's worked at the club before.
"He actually was there while I was there and Peter Reid was in charge - he just came in and coached us for a little bit. So if West Ham don't want him, I'd take him tomorrow."