How Phil Parkinson learned he'd been sacked as Sunderland boss

Temporary Sunderland boss Andrew Taylor is taking training at the Academy of Light this morning ahead of the visit of Burton Albion.
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Taylor has been handed the reins temporarily until the club appoints Phil Parkinson's successor at the Stadium of Light.

Parkinson was sacked by the club on Sunday afternoon following a disappointing run of form that had seen Sunderland drop out of the play-off places.

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It is understood Parkinson, who had taken training on the Sunday morning as the players got back to work after the Fleetwood draw, was told his time on Wearside was over via a phone call by the club's chief executive Jim Rodwell.

Former Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson.Former Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson.
Former Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson.

Owner Stewart Donald is looking to sell the club and has taken a back step in terms of the day-to-day running of the club since earlier this year.

Parkinson's assistant Steve Parkin has also left his role, with first-team coach Taylor taking the game against Burton on Tuesday.

He is being assisted in training by goalkeeping coach Lee Butler and physical performance coach Nick Allamby.

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Parkinson was sacked following the 1-1 draw away at Joey Barton's Fleetwood Town on Friday evening, with more points dropped and the club dropping out

of the play-off places.

Automatic promotion remains the target this season and the new boss will be under pressure to hit the ground running.

Parkinson's dismissal comes ahead of a proposed takeover at the Stadium of Light.

The club are understood to be on the brink of an ownership change, with Donald’s majority shareholding set to pass to a consortium led by Juan Sartori and

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.