Sam Allardyce is still looking for an assistant to help him steer Sunderland to safety, after being announced as the club's new manager on Friday, and a number of coaches have been linked with the role.
Southend United boss Phil Brown was rumoured to be ready to link back up with Allardyce, having worked as his number two for six years at Bolton Wanderers, and especially after singing his praises before he was revealed as the Black Cats' new boss.
However, he has since dismissed the rumours, stating that his commitments lie with Southend.
Still, there are plenty of others who Allardyce is speculated to have his eye on, with former-manager Peter Reid and Blackpool boss Neil McDonald amongst the names.
McDonald willing to drop to number two role?
The big problem with the latter's link, reported by the Blackpool Gazette, is that he is currently the manager of Blackpool, aiming to steady a rocky ship of his own after the Seasiders were relegated to League One last season.
They are currently on a good run of form, having won all of their last three games, and the club will hope he does not leave for Sunderland just as things are picking up.
There are doubts over McDonald's willingness to drop from a number one role to a number two one, having spent many years as Allardyce's assistant, at Bolton, Newcastle United, Blackpool and West Ham United, but then going his own way as he aimed to become a successful manager in his own right.
Having began to make progress with a struggling side, it seems unlikely that he would drop back down to a secondary role, even if it means reuniting with Allardyce at a Premier League club.
Reid to return to football?
Another man rumoured to be interesting Allardyce is former Sunderland manager Reid. The 59-year-old last managed Mumbai City in 2014 as India attracted a number of big names to help launch their new Indian Super League, with his last job before that being a season-long stint with Plymouth Argyle that ended in 2011.
The Mirror have now suggested that Allardyce wants the former-boss as his assistant at the Stadium of Light as he aims to keep the Black Cats away from the relegation zone.
Though Reid may not want to return to a club he successfully managed for seven years as just an assistant, he seems unwilling to take on the responsibility of a manager in recent years, and thus the role may in fact appeal.
Allardyce hoping to bring in head of recruitment too
As well as searching for an assistant, Allardyce is also believed to be keen on bolstering other areas of his backroom staff, with the Mirror also reporting that he could attempt to bring in Martyn Glover.
Glover worked with the 60-year-old at West Ham as the club's head of recruitment, and he currently works under a similar title at Championship side Leeds United.
However, the opportunity to return to England's top flight and reunite with Allardyce may tempt him away from Elland Road and to the Stadium of Light.
Coaching trio to remain
Whilst there is expected to be a lot of change in the coaching team upon the new manager's arrival, many are believed to be set to keep their positions on Wearside.
First-team coach Paul Bracewell, goalkeeping coach Adrian Tucker and under-21 coach Robbie Stockdale will all stay on at the club, according to the Sunderland Echo.
Furthermore, the publication understands that former-Sunderland captain Kevin Ball could be offered a role in the coaching team by Allardyce.
Ball currently occupies an ambassadorial position at the Stadium of Light, and has done so for the past 18 months after stepping down from his role as the under-21 manager.
However, Allardyce is believed to be keen to get him back into a job on the coaching team as he looks to keep Sunderland afloat this season.