MICK McCARTHY was last night on the verge of replacing the sacked Howard Wilkinson as Sunderland manager.

As the club began to come to terms with the shock departure of Wilkinson and Steve Cotterill after just five months in charge, it emerged that McCarthy could be appointed as early as tomorrow.

Northern Echo Sport believes Sunderland have already opened talks with McCarthy, who is keen to take the post following his resignation as Republic of Ireland coach four months ago.

He is understood to want Ian Evans, his assistant when he was in charge of the Irish national team, as his No 2 at the Stadium of Light.

McCarthy, 44, would have been a popular choice with supporters when Peter Reid was sacked in October.

David O'Leary, Colin Todd, George Burley and former Ajax coach Co Adriaanse were all mentioned as possible successors to Wilkinson last night.

But McCarthy topped Sunderland's wanted list following Wilkinson and Cotterill's exit, and he has made no secret of his desire to make a speedy return to the game.

McCarthy's only League managerial experience is from his time in charge of Millwall, where he was boss for just under four years until he took over from Jack Charlton as Ireland coach in 1996.

O'Leary has been mentioned in connection with the post since before Reid was axed after seven-and-a-half years in charge.

Burley is a former Sunderland defender who is looking for a new job after he was sacked by Ipswich Town earlier this season.

Todd was in charge of Derby County for just 14 weeks before he was shown the door at Pride Park in January 2002.

Adriaanse made his name at Ajax and would be a bold choice as manager as Sunderland look to save their Premiership skins.

But McCarthy was being heavily tipped for the job as news of Wilkinson's departure, just nine games before the end of the season, was still sinking in on Wearside last night.

Jim Montgomery, who won the FA Cup with Sunderland in 1973, said: "I was in Bobby Kerr's pub when I heard the news and we're absolutely gobsmacked.

"It's going to be very difficult for somebody coming in now because there's so little time left."

Chairman Bob Murray was heckled by Sunderland fans after the appointment of Wilkinson, who relinquished his post as the Football Association's technical director, exactly five months ago yesterday.

Murray claimed at the time that he was "excited" by Wilkinson's arrival - but the former Leeds United boss presided over a disastrous period in the club's history.

Sunderland won just four of their 27 games with Wilkinson in charge, and their 1-0 defeat at Fulham on March 1 was their sixth loss in a row.

Tom Lynn, of the Sunderland fanzine The Wearside Roar, said: "I think this decision had to be made and I applaud the club for doing something about the situation.

"Howard Wilkinson's record was abysmal. You can pontificate on the whys and wherefores, but the standard of football were poor, as were the results, and crowds have dropped off.

"Fans were prepared to give Wilkinson a chance but we're now on the verge of relegation."

Wilkinson's dismissal confirmed Sunderland's status as a club in crisis, just two years after Reid led them to the brink of European football.

Since the heady days of 2001, the Black Cats have suffered an alarming slump that saw them finish 17th last season.

Reid's spending spree last summer landed the club with debts of £25m, but his new recruits failed to improve Sunderland's ailing fortunes.

Former Sunderland striker Eric Gates said: "The new manager won't have enough time this season, but let's hope he's in charge for a long time.

"Sunderland is a fantastic club with great support, but how far they go now is up to the board of directors.

"When you're on the slide like Sunderland are at the moment, you worry about how far the slide will go.

"Let's hope the next manager brings it to an end, or they could end up doing what Sheffield Wednesday have done."

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