Sunderland have decided to sack manager Chris Coleman following a second successive relegation that will see them plying their trade in League One next season.
The Black Cats were relegated from the Premier League last term and their demotion from the Championship was confirmed last weekend, with Friday night's defeat to Fulham proving to be Coleman's final game in charge of the beleaguered North East club.
The 47-year-old could be forgiven for wondering why on earth he left his role as Wales national team boss to become Sunderland manager last November as he has been unable to right the sinking ship that he inherited from Simon Grayson.
Sunderland will now begin their search for a sixth manager in the space of two seasons following the news that owner Ellis Short has agreed to sell the club to an international consortium of investors.
The chairman of Eastleigh, Steward Donald, is heading up the takeover bid, subject to EFL approval, and fans will be hoping that a more successful period for the club will ensue.
Coleman's assistant, Kit Symons, has also been released from his contract following a tough five months at the Stadium Of Light.
Coleman was appointed manager of Sunderland on 17th November 2017 but he oversaw a poor run of form that yielded five wins, nine draws and 15 defeats in the league. It was relegation form in anyone's book and Coleman leaves having watching his team win only once in 17 attempts following Friday's 2-1 defeat to Fulham.
