Gus Poyet has rejected the chance to return to Sunderland.

The 53-year old was wanted by the League One side to replace Phil Parkinson who was sacked on Sunday, says the Daily Mail.

Approaches were made and some bookmakers even suspended betting on Poyet returning to the club he left in 2015.

However the former Chelsea star, who last coached Bordeaux in France, has set his sights on a return to management at a higher level.

Though Poyet was their first option, Sunderland have considered a number of other names over the past 48 hours with the likes of Paul Cook, Nigel Pearson, Danny Cowley and Daniel Stendel among those to have expressed interest.