Sunderland are expected to push on with the appointment of Wigan Athletics' Steve Bruce as new manager.
The Daily Mail says Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is unhappy that Wigan allowed their approach to be leaked following Ricky Sbragia's resignation on Sunday.
But Bruce could be confirmed as the next manager at the Stadium of Light within a matter of days if the two clubs come to a swift agreement on compensation.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is determined to make a profit on the £3million he paid Birmingham for Bruce in 2007, but the Wearsiders are reluctant to go as high as £5m. A settlement somewhere in between should not be difficult to reach.
For Wigan, it is a chance to bank compensation for the manager and backroom team he wants to take with him - assistant Eric Black, goalkeeping coach Nigel Spink and coach Keith Bertschin and shave the wage bill.