Simon Grayson sacked by Sunderland

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Sunderland wield the axe and sack Simon Grayson (October 31st 2017)


Manager Simon Grayson has left Sunderland after a 3-3 Sky Bet Championship draw with Bolton, the club have announced.

The Black Cats released a statement via their official website within minutes of the final whistle to confirm Grayson's departure after Paddy McNair's late equaliser had spared them the ignominy of slipping to the foot of the table.

The statement said: "Sunderland AFC has this evening parted company with manager Simon Grayson. The club would like to place on record its thanks to Simon and his staff for their efforts during their time at the football club."

The early betting to replace him at the Stadium Of Light sees Kevin Phillips head the market at 4/1 followed by Roy Keane at 7/1 with Kevin Ball and Lee Clark both 8/1.

Recently fired Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare is 10/1 to get the job in the north east, the same price as Alex McLeish and Peter Reid with Gordon Strachan trading at 12/1.

The announcement came barely 24 hours after Grayson had insisted he was the right man for the job and deserved a chance to put things right after having "the balls" to take it in the first place.

However, chief executive Martin Bain made his move with the cash-strapped club in very real danger of suffering a second successive relegation.

Bain said: "Simon and his team have worked tirelessly to achieve the best for the football club during their time here.

"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."

Grayson's assistant Glynn Snodin has also left the Stadium of Light with the pair having presided over just 18 games, 15 of them in the league.