- Mowbray leaves after 15 months
- Two wins from nine has seen Black Cats slip down the league
- Sunderland currently three points off a play-off place
Championship side Sunderland has parted ways with head coach Tony Mowbray, terminating his contract after a tenure of 15 months. The decision comes in the wake of Sunderland’s recent struggles, with only two victories in their last nine league games, resulting in a slip to ninth place after making the play-offs last season.
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Speakman pledges to find the right replacement to take Sunderland forward
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, acknowledging the difficulty of the decision, stated that the club remains committed to its ambition and strategy. He deemed this the opportune moment to take a step forward and expressed the club’s dedication to identifying the right candidate for the coaching role. Speakman emphasised ongoing support for the coaching team and players during the interim period.
“As custodians of our great club, we believe in our long-term strategy that we hope will ensure sustainability and success for SAFC,” said Speakman. He highlighted the club’s commitment to implementing a high-performance culture and developing a strong playing identity.
Mark Venus, Mowbray’s long-time assistant, has also left the club. First-team coach Mike Dodds will assume temporary charge during this transitional phase. Despite Sunderland’s recent slide to ninth place, they remain only three points away from a play-off spot.
Mowbray, who took over in August of the previous year following Alex Neil’s departure to Stoke City, guided Sunderland to a commendable sixth-placed finish in their first season back in the Championship. The team secured a place in the play-offs but ultimately fell short in the semi-final against Luton. The search for a new head coach is now a priority for Sunderland, who will face West Bromwich Albion in their upcoming fixture.
Betting Implications
At the time of writing Sunderland are seen as outsiders for promotion, at the time of writing Betway have them priced at 20/1 to go up. Bettors need to assess whether a new manager can get a response from the squad and make a genuine promotion push. If Sunderland are to make the play-offs many would back them to succeed given their support, especially if they finish the season with a strong run.
Ex Blues boss Eustace early favourite to take over
At the time of writing, John Eustace is favourite to become the next permanent manager of Sunderland. Eustace left Birmingham City almost two months ago. Currently, BetVictor have Eustace priced at 6/1 with Nathan Jones, Neil Warnock and Kevin Muscat all at 8/1.
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