Roy Keane has refused to comment on speculation linking him with the vacant Sunderland job.
The Black Cats are looking for a new manager after Lee Johnson was sacked earlier in the week following the 6-0 defeat against Bolton Wanderers and Keane has been heavily linked with the role.
Meanwhile, Grant McCann has been tipped to take over at the Stadium of Light after he guided Hull City to the League One title last season, with Neil Warnock and Neil Lennon also supposedly in the frame.
However, reports have suggested that the former Manchester United midfielder is the favourite to become the next Sunderland boss - 13 years after leaving the club.
The 50-year-old led the Black Cats to the Championship title during the 2006/07 season, winning the LMA Championship Manager of the Year in the meantime.
He won 42 of his 100 matches in charge before departing the club in December 2008 and Keane went onto manage Ipswich Town, which has proved to be his final managerial job.
Since his time with the Tractor Boys, Keane has been part of the Republic of Ireland coaching staff and has also done punditry with Sky Sports and ITV.
But Keane could be set on a return to management but he claimed he has 'no control' over what happens over becoming the next Sunderland manager.
He told ITV : " I’ve got no control over that, so no comment.
"I’ve made that clear over the last few years I’d like to go back into as a manager but of of course a club has to want you, you have to want that club and just as important the contract has got to be right so we see how things take shapes over the next few days."
Sunderland are next in action when they host Doncaster Rovers on Saturday in front of over 35,000 supporters.
