Dwight Yorke has told talkSPORT he is interested in the managerial vacancy at his former club Sunderland.
The ex-Aston Villa and Manchester United striker, who has completed his coaching badges, is hoping to break into management.
Sunderland sacked boss Simon Grayson after a run that has seen them win only once in the Championship since relegation from the Premier League last season.
They are bottom of the table with only 10 points from 16 games, and Yorke said he had left messages to inform them of his interest.
"I have tried to get hold of [chief executive] Martin Bain and left a message or two to see if there is any comeback," he said.
"The place needs a lift -- something new, something exciting.
"They have gone for experience in the past. They have tried that and it hasn't quite worked out.
"Why not give it to someone new who is really eager to prove he can do the job?"
Yorke added that an interview "would be nice" and said: "I will continue to work at that and see where I get."
Yorke had also been interested in a return to his old club Villa following the departure of Remi Garde, only for Steve Bruce to be appointed to the post.