Saturday’s defeat away at Lincoln City was the final straw for Sunderland, who have today sacked manager Jack Ross.
A statement on the club website read; “This is a decision that has been made with a heavy heart. When we arrived at the club 18 months ago, we appointed Jack because we felt that he was the right man to take Sunderland forward over a number of years.
“Jack has worked extremely hard, and has helped us achieve stability at the club, and I sincerely thank him for his efforts. I hope and believe that he will go on to have a successful career in management.”
Ross saw his side slip out of the top six with the defeat, only their second of the season. Despite losing few matches, they’ve struggled to find a rhythm on the field, with strikers Charlie Wyke, Will Grigg and Marc McNulty not managing to create chances in a restrictive formation.
With a strong squad of players and means well beyond many of their rivals, the Black Cats will be eager to see a revival in fortunes. However, they’re now facing a hunt for a new manager, although the job is bound to attract a number of candidates.
The manager who gets it right will be a hero on Wearside, but Jack Ross leaves as a pariah. We look at some of the comments left on the club’s social media post following the announcement.
https://twitter.com/Christianfors23/status/1181570379489402886
Both would do twice the job of Ross, coincidence that he stepped down the same day of us getting rid of Ross
— Lewis (@Lewis_h__) October 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/LMc10_SAFC/status/1181575103689232387
Shame as I really wanted him to work but sadly it hasn’t ever kicked in
— Steve N. (@TheMightyNews) October 8, 2019
what a mental half an hour or so…was recently unsure what to think of ross, and a lot of people happy to see him go but just want to thank him for everything he’s done, good luck. now announce Big Sam
— Jack Austwicke (@Jack_Austwicke) October 8, 2019
Ultimately recruitment and performances is the reason he’s sacked. To play such a rigid style of football and have regular individual errors you will never succeed. Praying for an attack minded manager with a high press
— Grant (@heyz191) October 8, 2019
I guess that just about every supporter wanted Ross to succeed, and it looked for a while he may have, but it wasn't to be! Good luck to him, decent bloke!
— Danny G. (@dpgroves6) October 8, 2019
