HARRY REDKNAPP is not currently being considered for the managerial vacancy at Sunderland despite weekend reports linking the former Tottenham and West Ham boss with the role.

And while the South American media have claimed Sunderland have made an approach to Uruguayan Paolo Montero, the former Juventus defender is another figure who is not on chief executive Martin Bain’s shortlist.

Sunderland are now under the sole caretaker charge of Robbie Stockdale after his former partner, Billy McKinlay, left the Black Cats yesterday to take up a coaching role at West Ham United.

Stockdale will take charge of training by himself this morning after McKinlay opted to leave his role to be reunited with new Hammers boss David Moyes, who brought him onto the coaching staff while he was manager of Sunderland.

Redknapp’s name emerged over the weekend, with a number of outlets linking the 70-year-old with a possible role at the Stadium of Light until the end of the season.

The much-travelled manager flagged up his potential interest last week when he spoke glowingly of Sunderland’s stature despite their position at the foot of the Championship table, and would be available without the need for compensation following his recent departure from Birmingham City.

However, sources at the Stadium of Light claim there is no appetite to appoint Redknapp either on a short-term or permanent basis.

The Londoner has not been seriously considered in the past when Sunderland have been looking for a manager, and if anything, his stock has fallen in the last 12 months following his unsuccessful spell at St Andrew’s.

Redknapp is renowned for being a big spender in the transfer market, and with Black Cats owner Ellis Short unlikely to be ploughing significant sums into the club as he looks to sell up, it is hard to see how either party would benefit from a managerial tie-up.

The Montero links appear to be agent-driven, with Sunderland not having made any contact with the South American, who resigned from his position in charge of Argentinian side Rosario Central at the weekend.

Montero’s Rosario Central side are currently second from bottom in Argentian’s Primera Division, and crashed out of the Copa Argentina at the weekend when they lost to Atletico Tucaman on penalties after a goalless draw.

Montero stood down in the immediate aftermath of that game, but will not be crossing the Atlantic to be installed at the Stadium of Light.

Bain continues to ponder his options as he looks to appoint Sunderland’s ninth permanent manager in the last six years.

Aitor Karanka and Paul Heckingbottom remain leading contenders, along with former Sunderland striker Ally McCoist, who continues to have his supporters among the Black Cats hierarchy.

McCoist has been out of work since leaving Rangers, his only managerial position, in 2014, but the Scotsman is a close friend of Walter Smith, who assisted Bain in the recruitment process that eventually resulted in Grayson’s appointment in the summer.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill is also understood to have been discussed following his impressive work on the international scene in the last three or four years.

Sunderland’s players are due to return to training at the Academy of Light this morning, where they will be put through their paces by Stockdale, who has assumed sole caretaker charge following McKinlay's exit to join the coaching staff at West Ham United.

McKinlay's departure was announced last night, with the former Scotland international having left Wearside to join up with former Black Cats boss Moyes at the London Stadium.

McKinlay did not have a permanent contract at the Stadium of Light, so he was able to leave immediately and Sunderland are not due any compensation following his exit.

Stockdale has assumed sole caretaker charge in his absence, and will preside over training at the Academy of Light this morning.

He has agreed to remain in caretaker charge for an indefinite period, and will head into this week assuming he could still be in position when Sunderland return to Championship action against Millwall this weekend.

Even if a permanent manager is appointed in the next two or three days, there is still a good chance that Stockdale will be in charge for Saturday’s game, which will see the Black Cats attempt to record a first home victory since mid-December.

Meanwhile, Sunderland’s Under-18s enjoyed some derby success at the weekend as goals from Benji Kimpioka, Lee Connelly and Jake Hackett secured a 3-0 win at Newcastle United.