FORMER Premier League star Scott Parker is in the running to become Sunderland's new manager.
The Championship side sacked Michael Beale last week following a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham.
Michael Dodds subsequently took over as caretaker manager while club officials continued the search for a new permanent boss.
Steve Cooper, Will Still and Roy Keane are among those that have been linked with the job.
But ex-Bournemouth boss Parker has emerged as the bookmakers' favourite.
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Parker has been out of work since leaving Club Brugge in March.
The former midfielder was sacked after winning just two out of 12 games in three months.
Prior to his time in Belgium, Parker spent a year with Bournemouth.
He guided the Cherries to Premier League promotion but was sacked following a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool just one month into the 2022-23 campaign.
His first managerial stint was with Fulham between 2019 and 2021.
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He was initially appointed as caretaker manager following Claudio Ranieri's departure and led the Cottagers to Premier League promotion in his first full season in charge.
However, Fulham were relegated again the following year and Parker left by mutual consent.
As a player, Parker made 368 Premier League appearances and was handed 18 England caps.
He played for Charlton, Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham and Fulham.
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