GUS POYET has taken charge of training at the Academy of Light this morning - but his future as Sunderland head coach continues to hang by a thread.

The Northern Echo understands there is an acceptance within the Stadium of Light boardroom that Poyet's position has become all but untenable after Saturday's humiliating 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa, which saw a handful of supporters attempt to vent their fury in front of the home dug out.

However, there is also an acknowledgement that it will be difficult to secure a replacement willing to take over until the end of the season, with the Black Cats currently just one point clear of the relegation zone.

Sunderland sporting director Lee Congerton has been sounding out potential short-term appointments, with Glenn Hoddle and Dick Advocaat both understood to be under serious consideration. Black Cats owner Ellis Short is reluctant to install a long-term head coach at this juncture.

If Short is able to appoint someone to effectively operate in a fire-fighting role for the next two months, Poyet will be dismissed.

The Uruguayan's relationship with Congerton has become increasingly strained over the last few months, and there is unease at Poyet's increasingly erratic touchline behaviour, as well as the fracturing of his relationship with the Sunderland fans.

Short has moved decisively at this stage of the season before, replacing Martin O'Neill with Paolo Di Canio when he felt that relegation was a real possibility, but whereas the Italian had been considered as a Sunderland manager for a lengthy period prior to his appointment, the difficulty this time around is that an obvious successor has not been singled out.

It had been hoped that Poyet would turn things around despite the mounting speculation over his position, but it increasingly appears as though Saturday's events have hastened his exit.  

Poyet was initially cut to 2-7 (from 5-2) to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post this morning, and was subsequently trimmed to as short as the 1-8 favourite with BetVictor.

Even at that price, a number of big bets have led to the market being suspended. 

Advocaat heads the betting as the 5-4 favourite to take over from Poyet at the Stadium of Light, regardless of the timescale, however former midfielder and current Black Cats development coach Paul Bracewell has proven popular, cut to 6-1 (from 33s) after a flurry of support this morning.
 
Next PL manager to leave his post prices from BetVictor
Gus Poyet 1/8 (from 2/7); Nigel Pearson 12/1; Manuel Pellegrini 12/1; Sam Allardyce 16/1
Next permanent Sunderland manager
Dick Advocaat 5/4; Paul Bracewell 6/1 (from 33s); Sam Allardyce 8/1; Ange Postecoglou 12/1; Michael Laudrup 12/1; Paul Clement 14/1; Harry Redknapp 16/1; 20/1 Bar