After a run of games which saw Sunderland only pick up one win since the start of November, the football club announced the departure of Tony Mowbray from the Stadium of Light on the evening of Monday, December 4.
Mowbray, who was well loved by fans on Wearside, was in charge for 16 months but eyes at the club are now looking to the future.
Read South Tyneside’s news on the go with our free email newsletters - bringing the headlines to your inbox. Catch up on the day’s news and sport and enjoy even more from your Gazette. Visit our website here to find out more and sign up.
These are the bookies’ favourites for the next Sunderland manager.
5. Karl Robinson
The former Leeds and Oxford man has been given odds of 33/1 by the bookies to take the Sunderland job after Tony Mowbray's sacking. Photo: Julian Finney
6. Aitor Karanka
The former Middlesbrough man has been given odds of 33/1 by the bookies to take the Sunderland job after Tony Mowbray's sacking. Photo: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno
7. Brian Barry-Murphy
The former Rochdale man has been given odds of 33/1 by the bookies to take the Sunderland job after Tony Mowbray's sacking. Photo: Charlotte Tattersall
8. Chris Hughton
The current Ghana manager has been given odds of 33/1 by the bookies to take the Sunderland job after Tony Mowbray's sacking. Photo: Jared C. Tilton