The Black Cats are going through a rough patch of form in League One and a 6-0 drubbing against Bolton Wanderers culminated in Lee Johnson being removed from the managerial role on Sunday.
Sunderland’s hierarchy are set to immediately kickstart the process of bringing in a new permanent manager as they look to get back into the automatic promotion spots.
It has been claimed that Everton interim boss Duncan Ferguson is someone the Sunderland chiefs are rating highly as a potential successor to Johnson, as they look identify more managerial candidates.
And former Sunderland boss McCarthy has now put his name in the hat to take over at the Stadium of Light.
The 63-year-old has made initial contact with Sunderland to register his interest in returning to the club.
McCarthy had a three-year spell at the Wearside giants between 2003 and 2006, taking them back to the top flight working with a tight budget and he is interested in leading another promotion charge, this time into the Championship.
Sunderland will look to appoint a new man at the helm as soon as possible and it remains to be seen whether McCarthy will be handed the reins at the club for a second spell.
