Former Sunderland player Michael Gray has described West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce as "man-made" for the top job on Wearside.
The Black Cats are without a boss following this afternoon's sacking of Gus Poyet and Gray believes that Allardyce would be the perfect replacement.
Allardyce's contract with the Hammers expires this summer and despite leading them to a top-half season so far, his future is far from certain in East London.
Coincidentally, Sunderland take on West Ham in the Premier League this weekend.
"If you're looking long-term, there's only one person out there for me and he's in charge of the club that we're playing at the weekend," Gray told Sky Sports News.
"He's man-made for it. I know he's having contractual talks with West Ham over whether he's going to be staying with the club at the end of the season, he would certainly be my choice.
"It's unfortunate that Gus has lost his job, nobody like to see that, but we're all going to be speculating about a new manager and there's only one out there for me to take the reins."
Dick Advocaat is the current favourite to succeed Poyet at the Stadium of Light.
Pascal Lemesre
