Sunderland

Sunderland announced manager Chris Coleman had been released from his contract on Sunday, the same day owner Ellis Short agreed to sell the club to a consortium led by Stewart Donald.

The Black Cats announced Coleman's departure before sharing a statement from Short detailing the sale to Donald, chairman of Eastleigh:

CLUB STATEMENT: Sunderland AFC to change ownership pic.twitter.com/REy00JBFsl

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) April 29, 2018

The north-east outfit were relegated from the Championship following a recent 2-1 defeat to Burton Albion, and fans will be hoping for an immediate promotion back to England's second tier.

Sunderland's drop to League One will see them play third-tier football for the first time since 1987-88, the only other campaign in their history they have played below the second division.

Coleman took over at the Stadium of Light in November after Sunderland made a poor start in their bid to return to the Premier League, but he could only lead the team to five wins in 28 Championship games.

Despite that record, The Times' Henry Winter argued Coleman should have been kept on at the club during an appearance on Match of the Day 2 Extra:

"I think that's disgraceful."

Chris Coleman has been released from his contract by Sunderland.

Here's how the news went down on Match of the Day 2 Extra.#bbcfootball https://t.co/nnbF4roGpv pic.twitter.com/lKawWH1Ytb

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 29, 2018

Short's decision to sell the club brings an end to his tenure of almost 10 years at the club. The American businessman had some success, with Sunderland spending nine successive seasons in the top flight under his ownership.

The atmosphere at the Stadium of Light has been dour for much of this campaign, with pressure placed on Short to sell. Still, football writer Kristan Heneage praised the manner in which he departed:

Without a doubt, the craziest part is Short writing off the debt. It's about £110million last time I checked, and it drastically changes #SAFC's outlook. Fair play to Short as well, proves the theory he did always care he was just very misguided in his approach.

— Kristan Heneage (@KHeneage) April 29, 2018

Scott Wilson of the Northern Echo and fan account Roker Report echoed the praise for Short in paying off the club's debt upon his departure:

Ellis Short: "I have paid off all debts owed by the club to leave it financially strong." At the last set of accounts, those debts amounted to £110m. That's quite something. #SAFC

— Scott Wilson (@Scottwilsonecho) April 29, 2018

New found respect for Ellis Short re: paying off the club debt. Amazing.

— Roker Report (@RokerReport) April 29, 2018

Back-to-back disastrous campaigns have seen Sunderland fall from top-flight mainstays to a League One outfit in less than two years, and there are no signs as to who could take charge next season.

The Chronicle Journal's James Hunter highlighted the new owners look to have a blueprint, however:

I understand the club will be debt free when it changes hands - ie, Short will write off the money he is owed and take care of the bank loan. New owners clearly want to bring in their own manager, hence Coleman's departure. #safc

— James Hunter (@JHunterChron) April 29, 2018

Coleman left his position with Wales to return to club management, but his prospects aren't likely to be too badly damaged despite his failings with Sunderland, such was the difficulty of the job at hand.

The club will hope the overhaul in several key positions and consequent fresh start will lead to a successful return to the Premier League in the not-too-distant future.

Former Wales national team manager Chris Coleman, who only just resigned from the job after the nation missed out on a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, has been announced as the new coach of Sunderland.

The club announced the news via their official website. 

Per the report, Coleman has already guided the Black Cats through a training session, and he will be in charge of the Championship fixture against Aston Villa. Chief executive Martin Bain was excited to add the 47-year-old to the staff:

"The football club has conducted a thorough process over the last three weeks to identify the best manager for the job, before and after which Chris was the clear first choice.

"We are delighted that he and Kit Symons, his assistant manager, have joined us, and are now focused on working together to get the football club moving in the right direction."

Coleman previously had stints with Fulham, Real Sociedad, Coventry City and AEL, with his greatest successes coming at Fulham and the Welsh national team. He guided the latter side to UEFA Euro 2016, where Wales booked a remarkable upset win over Belgium.

Sunderland have struggled in the Championship this season, ranking dead-last and taking just a single win from 17 fixtures. The Black Cats are in dire need of a boost, and sportswriter Jonathan Wilson fears Coleman might not be able to deliver given his recent setbacks:

So, Chris Coleman... What could possibly go wrong with appointing somebody whose last game saw him tactically outwitted by a man we sacked six managers ago?

— Jonathan Wilson (@jonawils) November 17, 2017

Wales' qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup was underwhelming, and Coleman's cautious nature was punished by Martin O'Neill's Irish squad. Ireland took the win in Cardiff to qualify for the play-offs.

Sunderland have been free-falling since last season, when the club finished last in the Premier League.

Sunderland want to build a holiday home for sick children and their families in honour of their six-year-old fan who died of cancer.

In the video above, we look at the plans to create a lasting tribute to Bradley Lowery.

Sunderland have announced the departure of Simon Grayson as manager with the club now mired in the relegation zone of the Championship. 

In a statement released on the club's official website, chief executive Martin Bain addressed Grayson's departure: "While we hoped that Simon’s experience in the Football League would help us to a successful season, results have not been good enough for a club of this stature. In order for us to improve upon our current position we believe a fundamental change is necessary."

The Black Cats slipped into the bottom three of English football's second tier after drawing 3-3 with Bolton Wanderers at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night. It means Sunderland gained just 10 points from 15 matches under Grayson's watch, per Alex Terrell of The Sun.

Grayson's assistant Glynn Snodin has also left, per the statement.

Kevin Maguire of the Daily Mirror had some sympathy for the departing manager:

I like Simon Grayson but it wasn’t working as Sunderland manager. Wish him well elsewhere

— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) October 31, 2017

Meanwhile, Sunderland have no immediate plans to announce a replacement, even on an interim basis, according to Richard Mennear of the Sunderland Echo:

Understand there won't be anything on caretaker manager tonight #SAFC

— Richard Mennear (@RichMennear) October 31, 2017

More would naturally have been expected from Grayson since Sunderland only suffered relegation from the Premier League last summer. However, the former Leeds United manager was unable to make the most of a squad talented enough to be a force in the championship.

Players such as destructive midfielder Didier Ndong and powerful centre-back Lamine Kone should give Sunderland the platform to launch a campaign aimed at ending in a quick return to the top flight.

Grayson's job looked under considerable threat before the Bolton game, despite midfielder Jonny Williams saying the squad was behind the manager, per Mennear.

The onus will be on the next manager to get more out of a squad with Premier League pedigree. Sunderland fans saw bitter North East rivals Newcastle United earn promotion in their first time out a year ago. They won't want Magpies supporters to watch Sunderland slip the other way.

Six-year-old Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery died Friday of neuroblastoma.

Lowery's parents confirmed the news on Facebook:

The youngster, from Blackhall Colliery, near Hartlepool, England, was diagnosed with the illness at just 18 months, and although he initially beat the disease, it returned in July 2016, and the cancer was subsequently found to have become terminal, per the BBC.

In late May Bradley's family announced his cancer was spreading and he did not have much longer to live, per Sky News.

Football fans around England and the world were touched by the close friendship Bradley formed with striker Jermain Defoe in the final months of his life.

Per The Independent's Jack de Menezes, Bradley was first a mascot for the Black Cats last year and led the England team out with Defoe, 34, when the former Sunderland striker made his international comeback at Wembley Stadium against Lithuania in March.  

Everton donated £200,000 to help Bradley get treatment in the United States after he was the guest of honour at the Toffees' clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last September, per BBC News.

Per Sky News' Nick Powell, it was not just football clubs that rallied around Bradley's cause, as he was given an honorary 41st place in the field for the 2017 Grand National back in April. 

Bradley is survived by his mother Gemma, his father Carl and his brother Kieran.

Simon Grayson has officially been named manager of Sunderland after the club's website confirmed the 47-year-old had ended his four-year tenure at Preston North End to move to the Stadium of Light. 

The Black Cats finished bottom of the 2016-17 Premier League and will be looking for bounce-back promotion after dropping to the Championship, but Grayson spoke of his pleasure to land the opportunity:

“I am delighted to come to Sunderland, a club with such wonderful history and tradition, and I’m excited by the opportunity to manage this club and I want to bring the good times back. Sunderland are so fortunate to have such tremendous support and I want to give these fans a team they can be proud of.”

Sky Sports' Adam Bate spoke positively of Grayson in a recent interview, with the tactician in no doubt as to the only route by which he'll realistically make his rise back to the top:

Interviewed Simon Grayson recently. Won promotion in every job. Nice guy hoping to get to the Premier League. #SAFC https://t.co/SAfkfUubh2 pic.twitter.com/AhqofbUZ3O

— Adam Bate (@ghostgoal) June 29, 2017

Grayson has penned a three-year deal at Sunderland, who are in a form of panic after the Sunderland Echo's Ross Gregory reported that owner Ellis Short is set to remain in the position after talks for a prospective takeover collapsed.

Short is not wanted as owner by sections of the Sunderland support, relating to one supporters' group attempting to raise an £85 million offer to purchase the club, per The Sun's David Coverdale.

Grayson's management of the team could be stunted if he has joined in the midst of a potential takeover should a more satisfying bid entice Short, but he'll hope for stability at a time where he needs to lay his own imprint on the team.

Aside from the playing staff, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie said Sunderland's backroom staff would remain largely unchanged:

Sunderland appoint Simon Grayson as manager on a 3-year contract. Glynn Snodin joins as assistant; Rob Stockdale & Adrian Tucker remain.

— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) June 29, 2017

Grayson has no experience managing above the second tier, but the Black Cats have appointed him in the hope his 12 years in England's lower divisions will account to this becoming his time to emerge.

His predecessor, David Moyes, has left at the Stadium of Light an assortment of past stars and square pegs in round holes, but Grayson will look to refine his assets into something with a little more shine.

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

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David Moyes has resigned from his position as Sunderland manager, the club confirmed on Monday.

Moyes took on the job last summer, replacing former England manager Sam Allardyce.

The former Manchester United and Everton boss found the going tough at the Stadium of Light and departs with the club's relegation confirmed at the end of a miserable season, ending a decade-long stay in the Premier League.  

Searching for a new boss is nothing new for Sunderland, who have parted ways with plenty of managers in recent years. Moyes' successor will be the seventh permanent boss since Steve Bruce left the club in 2011.

The new manager will take over a squad with deep-rooted problems. In recent seasons, Sunderland have found themselves in a scrap to stay afloat, although a late surge, often inspired by a change of manager, has seen them pull clear. Moyes was unable to muster a similar late rise.

He had solid foundations to build on after Allardyce steadied the ship in his brief spell at the club. But things were tough from the off for Moyes, with an opening-day loss to Manchester City a sign of things to come. Home defeats followed to Middlesbrough, Everton and Crystal Palace; they threw a two-goal lead away in the latter.

As noted by journalist Daniel Harris, the manager was quick to shift responsibility from himself to the players after that defeat:

https://twitter.com/DanielHarris/status/780022584532463616

The team found it difficult to build any momentum as Sunderland sagged to the bottom of the Premier League and was quickly cut adrift. Their relegation to the second tier was eventually confirmed after a 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light.

Off the pitch, Moyes attracted controversy, too. In March, the manager apologised after he told BBC reporter Vicki Sparks she might "get a slap" after asking a question about the coach being under pressure to perform.

It's going to be tough for Moyes to restore his reputation as a manager. While he did a fine job at Everton over 12 years, he's now come up short in each of his last three roles.

Sportswriter Chris Smith is unsure whether Moyes is up to the rigorous demands of the Premier League anymore:

Moyes is going to have to go and hide in the Scotland job for a few years. Times have changed. He can't cut it in the Premier League now.

— Chris Smith (@cdsmith789) October 15, 2016

Sunderland, meanwhile, face a big fight if they're to bounce back to the top tier at the first time of asking. It's vital Sunderland pick their next manager wisely, though, as the club requires overdue consistency at the helm. Moyes was another boss unable to provide it.

Sunderland's decade-long stay in the Premier League came to an end on Saturday after a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Bournemouth sealed their relegation to the Championship.

Joshua King's sole strike at the Stadium of Light left manager David Moyes' side 12 points adrift of safety with four games remaining in their season, and BBC Sport confirmed the club's drop to England's second tier:

SUNDERLAND ARE RELEGATED.

It's all over at the Stadium of Light.

Result: Sunderland 0-1 Bournemouth

Reaction https://t.co/PZJ4VQQd1v pic.twitter.com/tr0Iav1JgG

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 29, 2017

The north-east outfit had been fighting against relegation for several seasons prior to 2016-17, but Moyes will be the man ultimately held responsible for their downgrade to the Championship.

Sky Sports News HQ explained Sunderland's demise in further detail and provided footage from the Stadium of Light, where boos could be heard ringing around the venue upon the final whistle:

BREAKING: Sunderland have been relegated from the Premier League after losing 0-1 to Bournemouth. #SSNHQ https://t.co/HcvDZBsSTr

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 29, 2017

Alex Davidson of the Telegraph reported on Friday that manager Moyes would be considering his future with the club at the end of this season, and sections of the support have shown a distaste toward the tactician.

In recent seasons, former managers such as Paolo Di Canio, Gus Poyet, Dick Advocaat and most recently Sam Allardyce have preserved Sunderland's top-flight status, but Moyes fell short in his attempt to save Sunderland:

David Moyes trying to save Sunderland from relegation like... pic.twitter.com/dSz7ehm7s9

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 29, 2017

The Black Cats gained promotion to the Premier League after winning the 2006-07 Championship title, and their highest first-tier achievement since then was the 10th-place finish managed in 2010-11.

There has been a sense of futility emanating from the Stadium of Light for some time now, although Adam Bate of Sky Sports illustrated how Sunderland's peers have managed to outdo them since this past winter:

That Hull were below Sunderland when Marco Silva arrived in January undermines the idea relegation was inevitable. So poor by David Moyes.

— Adam Bate (@ghostgoal) April 29, 2017

Over the past nine seasons among England's elite, the Black Cats have averaged a finish of 14.55 (or 15th) and have managed to produce a scorer of 20 goals or more on just one occasion—Darren Bent (25) in 2009-10.

There may be a silver lining for the club, too, after Match of the Day highlighted Sunderland's habit of making swift returns to the top each time they've been relegated:

Hope for Sunderland fans?#SAFC have been relegated from #PL three times.

Each time they've bounced back as champions within two years. pic.twitter.com/YtTWneSA3z

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 29, 2017

Bounce-back promotion will be the target for the Black Cats, although the debate will be centred around whether Moyes is the man leading the squad into battle next term.

Two more teams will join the Wearside outfit in moving down to the Championship before the season reaches its end, with Swansea City and Middlesbrough the other pair making up the bottom three as things stand.

Sunderland manager David Moyes has been charged by the FA for comments he made to BBC reporter Vicki Sparks after a 0-0 draw with Burnley on March 18.

The FA have adjudged the comments to be "improper and/or threatening and/or brought the game into disrepute." Moyes, 54, has until 6 p.m. BST on May 3 to respond to the charge. 

The Scotsman told Sparks she "might get a slap" after a line of questioning on Sunderland owner Ellis Short, per BBC Sport.

Per the Guardian's David Conn, the comments were made in a "jokey" manner and came after the post-match interview had finished but a camera was still recording.

In full, Moyes said: "You were just getting a wee bit naughty at the end there, so just watch yourself. You still might get a slap, even though you’re a woman. Careful the next time you come in."

When the recording emerged, Moyes' comments were widely condemned.

Shadow sports minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan called on the FA to take action:

This is disgraceful. David Moyes cannot get away with these sexist threats - the @FA must take action immediately. pic.twitter.com/kcMSQFmI7g

— Dr Rosena Allin-Khan on BSky: DrRosena.BSky.Social (@DrRosena) April 3, 2017

Meanwhile, former England international and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker branded Moyes' comments as "inexcusable":

Moyes incident highlights a tendency for some managers to treat interviewers with utter disdain. Pressured job. Well rewarded. Inexcusable.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 3, 2017

Per BBC Sport's report, the former Everton and Manchester United manager later apologised to Sparks and said he "deeply regrets" the exchange.

Moyes' Sunderland side face Middlesbrough on Wednesday as they continue their quest to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Black Cats are currently rock bottom of the table and 12 points from safety with six games left to play in the 2016-17 season. 

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