Sunderland have announced on their official website that they have parted ways with Head Coach Tony Mowbray.
Mowbray had been with the club for the last two seasons and helped guide Sunderland to the Championship play-offs last year. Although they would lose in the semi-finals to eventual winners Luton Town, it was still a season marked with success.
The Black Cats once again have high aspirations this season and currently sit in 9th in the Championship table, however the club no longer see Mowbray as the best suitor to take them to the next step.
Mowbray has had a rather successful and extensive career in management, with a number of EFL clubs on his CV. One of which was West Bromwich Albion who he took to the Premier League having won the Championship in the 2007/08 season.
It is unknown what Mowbray’s next move will be, likewise Sunderland’s but it is highly unlikely that the club will announce a new permanent manager before their clash with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
The announcement comes after a string of poor performances which has seen Sunderland win just two of their last nine matches, including defeats to strugglers Huddersfield and Plymouth Argyle. That poor run of form would ultimately show Mowbray the exit door and the club will need to have a change in fortunes if they want to challenge for promotion this season.
The club’s Sporting Director, Kristjaan Speakman, thanked Mowbray for what he had done during his time at the club.
“All at SAFC have thoroughly enjoyed working with Tony and he is quite rightly held in high regard by our players and staff, and our supporters.
“After arriving at an uncertain time, he helped guide us to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs and played an important role in developing our team. This was a difficult decision to make, but we remain loyal to our ambition and our strategy, and felt that now was the right moment to take this step.”
Chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus also added:
“I would like to place on record my gratitude to Tony for his hard work and commitment to Sunderland, a place where he will always be welcome.
“As custodians of our great club, we believe in our long-term strategy that we hope will ensure sustainability and success for SAFC. Central to that approach is a relentless demand for a high performance culture to be implemented throughout the Club and the development of a strong playing identity that you, our loyal supporters, can all be proud of.
The current coaching team all remain in place, with Mike Dodds taking charge on an interim basis until a new head coach has been found.
Writer’s View
The announcement of Mowbray’s departure may come as somewhat of a surprise given the club’s league position but it is an understatement to say that they have been performing poorly in recent weeks.
The next appointment is however pivotal to Sunderland’s future direction and if they genuinely want to contend for promotion to the Premier League for the first time since 2017, then they must get the right person through the door.
Senior Editor
