Sunderland hold talks with former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen about replacing Paolo Di Canio

Poyet has made no secret of his desire to replace Paolo Di Canio at the Stadium of Light and was the first candidate interviewed by Short, but the American is keen to avoid any rash judgments and is happy to leave caretaker manager Kevin Ball in charge for another week if he has to.
Poyet, who led Brighton and Hove Albion from League One to the Championship play-offs before he was sacked in the summer, has been recommended by Sunderland director of football Roberto de Fanti, but Short wants to look at other potential replacements.
De Fanti was also the driving force behind the appointment of Di Canio, whose only previous managerial experience had come with Swindon Town, and Short has been impressed by Meulensteen’s track record.
He is also tempted by the 49-year-old because of his excellent reputation as a coach. With De Fanti having sanctioned the signing of 14 players – 13 of them from abroad – in the last transfer window, Sunderlandneed to get a new-look side to gel as quickly as possible and Meulensteen may be seen as the man to improve the players he would inherit on Wearside.
The Dutchman, who has also been linked with a coaching role at Fulhamalongside his countryman Martin Jol, was a popular figure at Manchester United and spent five years working with Sir Alex Ferguson.