Phil Neville eyes Sunderland job - sources

Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Former Manchester United and England defender Phil Neville is in the frame for the Sunderland manager's job after rejecting a reunion with David Moyes at West Ham, sources have told ESPN FC.

Sunderland are searching for a new manager after sacking Simon Grayson last week following just 18 games in charge at the Stadium of Light.

Robbie Stockdale and Billy McKinlay have been placed in caretaker charge at Sunderland, but they could not prevent the team falling to the bottom of the Championship table after losing to Middlesbrough at the weekend.

Neville, who has worked as assistant manager at Valencia under his brother Gary and was also a member of Moyes' coaching staff at Manchester United, is keen to become a manager in his own right and sources close to the former player have told ESPN FC that he is interested in the Sunderland job.

Sources added that Neville is so keen to become a manager that he has rejected an offer to work as part of the new coaching staff at West Ham following Slaven Bilic's departure, with Moyes set to be appointed.

Neville made over 500 appearances for United and Everton during his playing career and won 59 caps for England.