O'Neill has become the favourite for the job after Steve Bruce's dismissal on Wednesday night.
The former Aston Villa and Celtic boss has agreed in principle to take the job, according to BBC Sport.
Sunderland are currently two points off the relegation zone in 16th place.
An official club announcement is expected today.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Sunderland | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 23 | 9 | 14 | 30 |
| 2 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 28 |
| 3 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 14 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 22 | 9 | 13 | 26 |
| 4 | Watford | 15 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 23 | 22 | 1 | 25 |
| 5 | Burnley | 14 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 17 | 6 | 11 | 24 |
| 6 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 14 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 22 |
| 7 | Millwall | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 22 |
| 8 | Middlesbrough | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 16 | 2 | 21 |
| 9 | Swansea CitySwansea | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 19 |
| 10 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 19 |
| 11 | Bristol City | 14 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 19 | -1 | 19 |
| 12 | Norwich CityNorwich | 14 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 23 | 20 | 3 | 18 |
| 13 | Derby CountyDerby | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 14 | Stoke CityStoke | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 18 | -1 | 18 |
| 15 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 24 | -7 | 18 |
| 16 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 17 | 18 | -1 | 17 |
| 17 | Coventry CityCoventry | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 19 | -1 | 15 |
| 18 | Hull City | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 18 | -3 | 15 |
| 19 | Luton TownLuton | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 21 | -5 | 15 |
| 20 | Preston North EndPreston | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 15 |
| 21 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 20 | -7 | 15 |
| 22 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 25 | -11 | 15 |
| 23 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 14 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 23 | -11 | 10 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 14 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 27 | -14 | 9 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
