Sunderland SACK manager Lee Johnson after humiliating 6-0 defeat to Bolton in bid to keep promotion on track

SUNDERLAND have sacked manager Lee Johnson.

The Black Cats have made the decision after the humiliating 6-0 defeat to Bolton on Saturday.

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Johnson took over at the Stadium of Light in December 2020 and led the side to fourth place in League One last season before losing to Blackpool in the play-off semi-final.

But this year Johnson has battled for automatic promotion and leaves with Sunderland in third place, just two points off leaders Rotherham.

Sunderland also confirmed assistant manager Jamie McAllister has departed in a statement released on .

It read: "Assistant Head Coach Jamie McAllister has also departed. We thank both for their contribution over the past 14 months and wish them well for the future."

Owner and chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus said: "I would like to thank Lee for his commitment and endeavour over the past 14 months.

"We regret that we have had to take this decision, but felt immediate change was needed. We firmly believe that this is in the best interests of Sunderland AFC as we strive to earn promotion this season.

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";Lee and Jamie will always be welcome at the Stadium of Light and they depart with our best wishes.”

Sunderland have won just one of their last five matches and have started to lose ground on Rotherham and Wigan in the automatic promotion spots.

Wigan have four games in hand over Sunderland so could potentially be 13 points ahead by the time they have played those games.

Rotherham have also played two games less than the Black Cats which is why the board felt it necessary to make a change.

Sunderland are now on the search for their fourth permanent manager since relegation to League One in 2018.

Louis-Dreyfus, heir to a £4billion fortune, is an ambitious owner and determined to get his club out of the third-tier this season.

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