Sam Allardyce will be a contender for the Sunderland manager 's job if Gus Poyet is sacked . Poyet is under mounting pressure at the Stadium of Light after an alarming slide down the table , culminating in Saturday 's dreadful loss against Aston Villa which sparked a supporter revolt . The growing animosity from fans towards the Uruguayan has not gone unnoticed by the Black Cats ' board . Sam Allardyce will be a contender for the Sunderland manager 's job if Gus Poyet is sacked . Sunderland fans attempt to storm Poyet 's dugout as the home side slumped against Aston Villa . Stewards and members of Sunderland 's backroom staff attempt to stop irate fans getting to the dugout . The club 's hierarchy want to show loyalty to Poyet after the manager 's excellent work in keeping the Wearsiders up last season . But there is a fear that the growing swell of opinion opposed to Poyet 's regime from fans will have an adverse impact on matters on the pitch . And West Ham manager Allardyce , who used to play for Sunderland , will be high on owner Ellis Short 's wanted list if he decides to make a change . Allardyce has admirers at Sunderland after helping the Hammers consolidate their position in the Premier League . Poyet has vowed to fight on as Sunderland boss but says he understands the supporters ' frustration . Sunderland fans streamed out of the Stadium of Light as Aston Villa smashed four goals past their side . Likewise , he was a strong contender to replace Martin O'Neill in the Sunderland hotseat in 2013 before Paolo Di Canio was handed the role . Allardyce himself looks set to be out of a job when his contract at Upton Park expires this summer , with the club still to offer him an extension . And a vacancy at the Stadium of Light could provide Allardyce with an instant route back into management if he leaves .
Sam Allardyce came under attack from Sunderland supporters on Saturday . The Black Cats embarrassingly went down 4-0 against Aston Villa . And West Ham 's Gus Poyet will be a candidate if Poyet is sacked .