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 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 13 |
| 2 | Sunderland | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| 3 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 11 |
| 4 | Burnley | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
| 5 | Watford | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 10 |
| 6 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| 7 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| 8 | Derby CountyDerby | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 9 |
| 9 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| 10 | Middlesbrough | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 11 | Swansea CitySwansea | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 12 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 6 |
| 13 | Stoke CityStoke | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 6 |
| 14 | Coventry CityCoventry | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 5 |
| 15 | Norwich CityNorwich | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 5 |
| 16 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 5 |
| 17 | Bristol City | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 11 | -5 | 5 |
| 18 | Millwall | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 4 |
| 19 | Luton TownLuton | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 4 |
| 20 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 4 |
| 21 | Preston North EndPreston | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 4 |
| 22 | Hull City | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 3 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 11 | -5 | 3 |
| 24 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 11 | -10 | 1 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
