Overview

• Tony Mowbray, the veteran manager of Sunderland, has been sacked after a series of disagreements with the board and a dip in results.
• Mowbray had been critical of the club's recruitment strategy, which focused on signing young players from across the globe, to nurture, develop and eventually sell on for a profit.
• The sacking came with Sunderland sitting ninth in the Championship, just three points off the play offs, but with six defeats in their last 12 games.
• Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman and club owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus have reaffirmed their commitment to their strategy and vision for the club.
• Sunderland's business model is built on the idea they can sign young players from across Europe, improve them and eventually sell them on for a profit.