Sable, 43, currently assistant to Francesco Farioli at Ligue 1 leaders Nice, is the front-runner with former Hammarby boss Hellberg also heavily backed.
Owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is leading the hunt for a successor to Tony Mowbray, who was dismissed on Monday after a run of two wins in nine games left the Black Cats three points adrift of the play-off positions.
Louis-Dreyfus grew up in France and retains a five per cent share in Marseille, the Ligue 1 side who were owned by his family until 2016.
And it is there that he and director of football Kristjaan Speakman appear to be focussing their search, with 31-year old Reims boss Will Still also high on the club’s shortlist.
Sunderland considered making an approach for Farioli before he joined Nice from Antalyaspor in June but eventually opted to stick with Mowbray.
The 36-year-old is now unattainable, but Sable’s similar philosophy and background in youth coaching make him attractive to a club whose player-trading model is based on buying low and selling high.
However, there is not yet any indication that Sable desires the job and Nice would demand significant compensation.
Denne historien er fra December 10, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 10, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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SCHUEY TIPPED FOR PILGRIMS RETURN
STEVEN Schumacher is the odds-on favourite to take over at Plymouth Argyle following the departure of Wayne Rooney.
MAT'S SUPER SADDLERS GO MARCHING ON
DELIGHTED Walsall boss Mat Sadler praised his troops for an 'incredible victory' after the runaway leaders came from behind to stun Notts County.
CAM'S GOAL LEAVES MIKE FEELING BLUE
CARLISLE manager Mike Williamson said he could understand the frustration of the traveling fans after his side were booed off following a narrow defeat to Tranmere at Prenton Park.
MOORE WANTS SOME MORE
DARREN Moore hopes the win at promotion rivals Doncaster Rovers will prove to be a turning point for his Port Vale side.
SHRIMPS BID TO STIR THINGS UP
DEREK Adams wants his Morecambe side to build on a 'really big result' against Tranmere on New Year's Day when they visit Newport this afternoon.
'Don't blame this all on Freddie'
PAUL Heckingbottom leaped to the defence of Freddie Woodman after the Preston goalkeeper's mistake so nearly resulted in defeat against Oxford.
FORSON DOUBLE STUNS SKY BLUES
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup told goal hero Amankwah Forson to enjoy the moment after the substitute scored twice in injury-time to earn his side a scarcely believable win over Coventry City.
MCNALLY FIRES IN AS ROBINS FLY HIGH
LIAM Manning predicted a quiet transfer window in terms of signings after seeing his improving Bristol City side move up to eighth in the table - just three points off the playoff zone.
Danny downcast at wasteful Owls
FRUSTRATED Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl admitted he was \"more disappointed than happy\" after watching his side waste a succession of first-half chances before scraping a draw against Millwall.
ALLEN NO ORDINARY JOE, SAYS WILLIAMS
SWANSEA boss Luke Williams paid tribute to supersub Joe Allen after his injury-time goal claimed a point against West Bromwich Albion.
