Championship side Sunderland AFC has decided to sack its manager, Tony Mowbray on December 4, 2023. Maudray had been in charge of the club for 15 months before his dismissal on Monday. Mark Venus, the assistant coach of Sunderland has also left the club.
Sunderland AFC has this evening parted company with Head Coach Tony Mowbray.#SAFC
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) December 4, 2023
Moubray had taken the reins of Sunderland from Scottish soccer manager Alex Neil who had abruptly resigned from the post in August 2022. Neil wanted more control over transfers and later on, joined Championship side Stoke City.
Toby Moubray had a decent debut season at Sunderland. The 60-year-old made the Black Cats finish 6th in the EFL Championship 2022/23. This meant that Sunderland played in the play-offs to achieve promotion to the Premier League. However, a 3-2 loss on aggregate to Luton Town meant that their 6-year-old absence from England’s top division continued.
In the 23/24 season, however, the team from North-East England has had a very troublesome time. Sunderland is currently 9th on the table, 3 points adrift of the play-off spots. Their form is very poor with just one win from their last 5 games. The recent draw 1-1 draw with relegation fighters Milwall has dampened their promotion hopes this season.
Speaking about the difficult decision to sack Maubray, the club’s Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman had this to offer, “This was a difficult decision to make, but we remain loyal to our ambition and our strategy and felt that now was the right moment to take this step.”
Speakman also spoke highly of Moubray, “All at SAFC have thoroughly enjoyed working with Tony and he is quite rightly held in high regard by our players and staff, and our supporters. After arriving at an uncertain time, he helped guide us to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs and played an important role in developing our team.”
On that day, not only Moubray but one other Championship manager faced sacking. Swansea City FC have decided to relieve their manager Michael Duff from his duties. The club has fired Duff after just six months on the job. The Swans are winless in their last 5 games and are currently 18th on the table, 5 points off the relegation zone. Assistant Coach Martin Paterson has also left the club with immediate effect.
Michael Duff is the first Swansea manager to be sacked since 2017.
All previous managers had either mutually departed or been poached by another club.#Swans pic.twitter.com/9Ue0Mfz8Ne
— The Second Tier (@secondtierpod) December 5, 2023
Swansea City FC’s chairman Andy Coleman said on Duff’s departure, “This was a very difficult decision and one that was given considerable thought and attention. I acknowledge that there has been a significant amount of change at the club, both on and off the pitch, during Michael’s tenure. I consistently asked for patience as we gave him time to implement his plans and bring the squad together.
“Unfortunately, we have seen neither the results that we expect nor the progress from the squad that we need. I believe it is now in the best interests of Swansea City to make a change of head coach.”
Sunderland and Swansea have appointed interim managers
Michael Dodds, the academy coach of Sunderland AFC has been appointed as the caretaker manager until a new head coach is appointed for the first team. Dodds will oversee the training and match preparations for the Championship fixture at the Black Cats’ home, the Stadium of Light.
West Bromwich Albion would be Sunderland’s opposition on December 9, 2023. Sunderland then face arch-rivals Newcastle United in the FA Cup 3rd round.
🚨🏆 Another huge game in the 3rd round of the FA Cup draw…
Tyne-Wear derby! Sunderland vs Newcastle.
First time they’ll play each other in 7 years. A game with huge passion and history. 👏 pic.twitter.com/FwmWtJsKcf
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 3, 2023
As for Swansea, the club has appointed assistant head coach Alan Sheehan as the interim manager. The Board is looking at potential candidates for the position of head coach. Swansea takes on Rotherham, on the same day as Sunderland plays West Brom. Swansea’s game would be an epic bottom-of-the-table thriller.