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Ally McCoist delivers verdict on vacant Sunderland job

Will Butcher

Thu 10 October 2019 9:15, UK

(Thursday, 8:45am) that Jack Ross has been harshly sacked by Sunderland, after the Scottish boss was relieved of his duties on Tuesday.

Ross, 43, joined Sunderland in the summer of 2018 after gaining promotion from the Scottish Championship with St. Mirren. The Scottish manager was tasked with gaining promotion from League One at the first attempt.

Despite being in the mix for automatic promotion throughout 2018-19, Sunderland finished fifth and lost in the play-off final to Lee Bowyer’s Charlton. This season, Sunderland sit in sixth place, having lost just two of their 11 league games.

McCoist, who spent two years at Sunderland between 1981 and 1983, believes the chance to manage his old club is a “brilliant opportunity” but believes Ross was harshly sacked. He also ruled out any chance of a return to management.

“It’s a brilliant job for somebody, a brilliant club. But how many managers have they had in the last 10 years? Jack Ross has been harshly treated, they have only lost two games this season,”

TBR’s view – Who are Sunderland’s best options?

The lure of Sunderland and the stature of the club means they are more than able to pluck a manager from a Championship team to drop down into League One for a chance to manage at the Stadium of Light.

But their best options come in the form of bosses currently out of work. Barnsley harshly sacked Daniel Stendel earlier this month after pushing the Tykes to promotion, and he is must be at the top of the pile.

Ian Holloway, Kevin Phillips and Gary Rowett are also excellent options, without being in work.