Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy is "flattered" to have been linked with the managerial post at Sunderland said he is keen to stay in his current job.
McCarthy - who has worked with a number of the club's players at international level including Jason McAteer, Kevin Kilbane, Phil Babb and Thomas Butler - has been quick to stress his desire to help the Republic qualify for Euro 2004.
Bookmakers Paddy Power have this morning cut McCarthy's odds from 16/1 to 5/2 to become the next boss at the Stadium of Light.
Former Arsenal, Leeds and Tottenham boss George Graham and Graham's successor at Elland Road - David O'Leary - have emerged as favourites for the job vacated by the sacking of Peter Reid.
Reid was dismissed yesterday evening after a dismal start to the season in which the Black Cats won just two of their first nine games and occupied 17th position, the same position they finished in last season.
McCarthy said: "I'm very sad for Peter. I was speaking to him just two weeks ago and he has always been very good on the release of Irish players. That's football and I am really sorry for him.
"I'm flattered that my name has been mentioned as one of those who might take over at the Stadium of Light. Maybe that's the price of success, being linked with a country that has moved from 54th to 13th in the FIFA world rankings and then a good World Cup last summer".
"We have had just two competitive defeats in three years, my immediate objective is to get a victory over Switzerland in our next Group 10 European Championship qualifier in Dublin. I want to lead Ireland to the Euro 2004 finals".