Mick McCarthy has revealed that he would "love" the opportunity to return to the Premier League.
The 59-year-old left his role as Ipswich Town boss after their 1-0 victory over Barnsley last month.
McCarthy has now been linked with the vacant Sunderland job, following his visit to the Tyne and Wear city last week.
"The cleaner [in Sunderland] saw me and did a double take," McCarthy told BBC Radio 5 live.
"He said 'are you Mick McCarthy? You're after the Sunderland job aren't you?'. "I said 'I'm not actually. I'm going to see a friend and pick a car up'.
"He said 'I don't believe you, you're going for the Sunderland job'. So he walked off and came back and said 'I've had 100 quid on at 11/8'."
"I would love to get back in the Premier League at some stage."
McCarthy coached the Black Cats in the Premier League between 2003 and 2006.
