Former Sunderland defender Gary Bennett believes that the opportunity to manage at the Stadium of Light is a "great job".

The North-East outfit are in the hunt for a new leader following the dismissal of Paolo Di Canio on Sunday just five games into the Premier League season.

The likes of Roberto Di Matteo, Gus Poyet and Neil Lennon have been linked to the role, which will include finding a place for the Black Cats' 14 summer signings.

"It's a great job to get into," the Daily Mail quotes Bennett as saying. "You know you are coming to a massive club with a great fan base, there's money, there are good players.

"Whoever it is, he has got to get that team spirit back, to get those players to believe in themselves again and put a smile back on their faces."

Watford manager Gianfranco Zola, who has been tipped as a contender for the vacancy, has admitted that he is "flattered" by the reports.