GRANT McCANN, Paul Cook and Neil Lennon have been touted as the early frontrunners to take over at Sunderland following the dismissal of Lee Johnson.

Johnson was sacked this evening in the wake of the Black Cats’ weekend thrashing at Bolton Wanderers, with owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman having begun the search for his successor.

Time is of the essence, with Sunderland due to host Doncaster Rovers at the Stadium of Light on Saturday before travelling to Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night.

McCann was dismissed from his role as Hull City manager earlier this week, with the Tigers controversially opting to appoint Shota Arveladze as his replacement.

McCann led Hull to promotion from League One last season, with the Tigers finishing above Sunderland, and has extensive experience of life in the third tier, having also previously managed at Peterborough United and Doncaster Rovers.

Cook was on Sunderland’s shortlist of candidates to succeed Jack Ross, but was passed over in order to appoint Phil Parkinson.

The 54-year-old enjoyed considerable success with Wigan Athletic, leading the Latics to the League One title before leaving after they were relegated from the Championship after entering administration.

Cook started the current campaign in charge of Ipswich Town, but was dismissed in December after just nine months in charge with the Suffolk club 11th in the League One table.

Lennon has been out of work since ending his second spell as Celtic manager last February. He won five Scottish Premier League titles and four Scottish Cups during his two periods in charge at Parkhead.

He has also previously led Bolton and Hibernian, and it is understood he would be interested in taking over at the Stadium of Light.

There has also been talk of a possible move for Duncan Ferguson, with the current Everton caretaker expected to leave Goodison Park once the appointment of Frank Lampard is confirmed.

Ferguson, a former Newcastle United striker, has spent the last seven years on Everton’s coaching staff and has had two caretaker stints in charge of the Toffees.