Former Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew had claimed that he is not interested in the vacant managerial role at Sunderland.
The relegated Black Cats are looking for a new manager after David Moyes quit the Stadium of Light last week, leading some reports to suggest that the Sunderland hierarchy were lining up an approach for Pardew.
The 55-year-old coach spent four years at the helm of Newcastle United and has since admitted that he would not manage the Magpies' fiercest rivals.
"Being the opposite of Newcastle, I don't think that's the club for me," Pardew told Sky Sports News.
"Sometimes when you have been a manager at a big club like that, to go to a rival is something I wouldn't do so that wouldn't interest me, but it is a great club and next year they really need to make sure they get back to the Premier League where they belong."
Despite ruling out a move to Sunderland, Pardew has made clear that he still plans to return to the managerial fold in the future.
Christopher Dodd
