Simon Grayson sacked as Sunderland manager as club remain in Championship relegation zone after Bolton draw
Former Leeds and Preston boss could not help Black Cats climb out of drop zone in second tier with just 10 points from 15 games
SUNDERLAND have sacked Simon Grayson as they failed to climb out of the Championship relegation zone after a 3-3 draw with Bolton.
The manager was ditched just minutes after the game and assistant Glynn Snodin has also packed his bags.
Youth team coach Kevin Ball is expected to take care of the game against Middlesbrough on Sunday and John O'Shea could be his assistant.
Chief executive Martin Bain said: “Simon and his team have worked tirelessly to achieve the best for the football club during their time here.
“While we hoped that Simon’s experience in the Football League would help us to a successful season, results have not been good enough for a club of this stature.
“In order for us to improve upon our current position we believe a fundamental change is necessary.”
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Sunderland twice came from behind to draw 3-3 against Bolton but it was not enough to prevent the men from Wearside equalling an unwanted record - or keep manager Grayson in a job.
The battle of the Championship's bottom two saw both teams take the lead and lose it before Paddy McNair levelled things up for the final time with 11 minutes remaining.
The result meant the Black Cats tied an English league record of going 19 matches without a win on home soil, and they announced Grayson's departure just minutes after the full-time whistle.
Former Newcastle forward Sammy Ameobi put the visitors ahead in the 32nd minute only for Lewis Grabban to level just before half-time, and then put the hosts ahead with his second goal 13 minutes into the second half.
The Trotters turned the match on its head when Gary Madine scored two minutes later and Karl Henry added a third in the 67th minute, but the home team battled back - and stayed above the bottom club - when McNair struck from 20 yards.
If there was one thing worse than Sunderland's dreadful home record then it was Bolton's away-day woe in the Championship, so something would surely have to give.
Wanderers had not won on their travels in the Championship in 32 matches, dating back to April 2015, and Sunderland started like a team believing they could make the most of that.
