Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is under consideration by the Sunderland board for the vacant manager's job.
The Sun says the Frenchman, 61, will be given serious consideration alongside other front-runners like Sam Allardyce and Alan Curbishley.
Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn is still sifting through more than 30 applications and is hoping to cut the number down to around 10 by the weekend.
He is in no rush and more than happy for Keane's former assistant Ricky Sbragia to lead the team into Saturday's crunch relegation showdown with West Brom.
Majority shareholder Ellis Short is anxious to introduce a continental manager and wants to hear Houllier's thoughts.