Gianfranco Zola and Paul Ince in running to replace Paolo Di Canio

London: Gianfranco Zola and Paul Ince have emerged as surprise contenders to land the Sunderland job.

The club’s hierarchy held an emergency board meeting on Monday after Paolo Di Canio was sacked.

Potential candidates to replace the Italian were discussed, with Watford chief Zola and Blackpool boss Ince understood to be among those in the frame.

Roberto Di Matteo, Celtic’s Neil Lennon and Gus Poyet are also believed to feature on Sunderland’s short-list.

It is believed initial contact has been made with Di Matteo and Poyet’s representatives, given that they are both out of work.

Sunderland play Peterborough in the Capital One Cup third round on Tuesday night.

Poyet is looking to get back into football management after his bitter departure from Brighton and would jump at the chance to take over from Di Canio.

However, Di Matteo is likely to need some persuading if he is to follow in his countryman’s footsteps by taking over at the Stadium of Light. It is understood the former Chelsea manager, who won the Champions League there in 2012, wants a more high-profile club as he plots a return.

The potential appointment of Zola, Ince or Lennon would be much more complicated for Sunderland to complete because they are all currently employed.

Sunderland director of football Roberto De Fanti is the man in charge of finding the club’s next manager and early indications are that he would prefer a manager with a good understanding of English football.

But De Fanti could yet look abroad, and in particular Italy, if he feels that he cannot lure the right domestic-based boss to the north-east of England.