Sunderland manager Jack Ross is understood to have received promises about his future and budget for the coming season, despite uncertainty as the club approaches a takeover by Mark Campbell.

The Northern Echo reports that Ross has been assured he'll have the biggest budget in League One next season as they look to secure promotion back to the Championship.

They missed out on an immediate return by virtue of a last-gasp goal in the play-off final against Charlton this season. After taking an early lead through Naby Sarr's bizarre own goal, the Black Cats failed to capitalise and Ben Purrington restored parity before Patrick Bauer stabbed home a late winner for the Addicks.

Despite the promises, the report suggests that Ross has been left under no illusions that he must achieve promotion next year.

That has been laid out in a budgetary meeting with current owners Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven, but has allegedly been ratified by Mark Campbell.

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He's a British stockbroker who conducts much of his business in the US and as well as looking to get a controlling stake in Sunderland, it's thought he's been trying to buy into Scottish side Falkirk as well.

The Verdict

Despite this being a seemingly positive move by the board to keep Ross in the loop, there is a passive aggressive undertone to the promises. Suggesting promotion is a must might be obvious, but it ramps up the pressure on the manager.

Sunderland surely had the biggest budget last season, spending as much on one striker as many of the division could on their whole squad, but still they failed to impress on a regular basis.

It's set to be a very interesting summer at the Stadium of Light. If they get off to a bad start next season, Jack Ross could be in serious trouble.