Newly-appointed Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has reportedly invited Southend United boss Phil Brown to be his assistant at the Stadium of Light.
The 60-year-old was named as Dick Advocaat's replacement on Friday night, and the former West Ham United coach will choose his own backroom staff.
Brown, 56, was Allardyce's number two for six years at Bolton Wanderers and, according to The Mirror, the Black Cats boss is keen on a reunion.
Southend, whom Brown led to promotion into League One last term, sit 11th in the table, winning three of their last four games.
Sunderland sit level on points with bottom-of-the-table Newcastle United, having failed to win any of their first eight outings.
