Alex Neil has held talks with other Championship sides about their managerial vacancies.
The Potters parted ways with their former boss on Thursday.
Neil was appointed by the Wearsiders in February and led them to promotion through the play-offs.
The Black Cats said they were "contractually obliged" to permit Neil to hold talks following an approach.
The club said they were committed to retaining Alex's services as head coach and would make no further comment.
Neil joined the club on an initial rolling 12-month contract after the club ended talks with Roy.
The club were promoted from the third tier within three months of his appointment.
Neil was supposed to attend the club's pre- match press conference.
Six days after Neil's last game with the club, the club received an approach for him from the Potters.
Neil started his managerial career at Hamilton Academical and went on to work forNorwich City, who he led to promotion to the premier league, and then went on to work forPreston.
He was linked with a move to the Midlands in April of last year over the thenvacant position at West Bromwich.
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