Sunderland have sacked manager Simon Grayson with the club 22nd in the Championship table.

The 47-year-old was brought in to steady the ship following last season’s relegation from the Premier League and arrived with a decent pedigree after impressing while in charge at Preston.

However, Grayson could only manage one win in 15 games in the league. Tuesday’s 3-3 draw against Bolton proved the final straw for the board despite Grayson insisting he remained the right man for the job in the build-up to the match.

The news was announced just 17 minutes after the Trotters result and the former Leicester and Aston Villa man has been followed out of the Stadium of Light by his assistant Glynn Snodin.

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.”

There is no indication yet of who will be in charge of Sunderland for Sunday’s Tees-Wear derby against Middlesbrough.

Boro themselves won 3-1 at Hull on Tuesday, extending their winning run to two games after Saturday’s 2-0 triumph at Reading.

Garry Monk’s men are the 1.70 favourites to take all three points at the Riverside, with the draw 3.60 while the Black Cats are 5.00 outsiders.