Sunderland have sacked Lee Johnson in the wake of yesterday's 6-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers.
Head coach Johnson has left Wearside after 78 games in charge, with his assistant Jamie McAllister also departing.
Black Cats owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus says the decision has been taken 'in the best interests of Sunderland AFC as we strive to earn promotion this season' and the club statement confirmed that the process to appoint a replacement begins immediately.
Go here for the latest breaking SAFC updates
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.
"Lee and Jamie will always be welcome at the Stadium of Light and they depart with our best wishes.”
The club statement added: "The process to appoint a new head coach will commence immediately and a further update regarding the club's interim coaching set-up will be communicated shortly."
Johnson leaves with Sunderland sitting third in the table, one point outside the automatic promotion places and two points behind leaders Rotherham, although the Millers also have two games in hand of them while second-placed Wigan have four games in hand.
Johnson was appointed in early December 2020, with Sunderland reaching the play-off semi-final winning the EFL Trophy at Wembley in his first season.
This season Sunderland reached the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup before losing at Arsenal.
