Wednesday saw the departure of two managers from football league clubs as owners look for solutions to the problems that their club may be facing. Jack Ross parted company with League One Sunderland following a fairly subdued start to their 2019/20 league campaign, meanwhile, Daniel Stendel vacated his role as manager of Championship side Barnsley FC, having not won a game since the opening day of the season.

Stendel is well experienced in achieving promotion from League One, having done it last year with his former club – finishing in the automatic promotion spots – and he could be exactly what Sunderland owner Donald is in need of.

Following Ross’s dismissal, Donald explained to BBC Newcastle that the decision was made as he is: "Looking for a manager that's going to get us promoted.”

Further adding that: “Jack Has left the football club because I made the call that our promotion this season has the best chance with somebody else.”

The Black Cats’ owner admitted that Stendel will be taken into consideration, stating that: “I'm sure Daniel might be someone we look at,” when asked directly about the German manager.

Despite his side’s poor results since their return to the Championship, a manager who helped his team to go the whole League one season unbeaten at home must be tempting for the Sunderland hierarchy.

However, Donald was sure of the fact that there are numerous potential candidates to evaluate and that the process will take a bit of time as they search for the right man for the job as he told the BBC: "I can't do the process within 24 hours and expect to get it right.”

"I feel I've done right by Jack because I dealt with him and everything on his end first, and then I have a look at what's next. That's where we are now.

"What I can tell you is my life now will become absorbed by this and just interviewing people, going through the processes, double and triple checking with people in the football world.

"I'm sure, as has already happened, we'll have loads and loads of applicants and we've just got to make sure we get it right."

The Verdict

The decision to sack manager Jack Ross, although popular amongst many Sunderland fans, does seem slightly unfair given that they still sit 6th in League One and have reached the round of 16 in the Carabao cup.

However, Sunderland had, by Ross's own admission, underperformed at times this season and now the search for his replacement must take place. With many potential candidates it is essential that the Sunderland hierarchy can appoint someone who will make an instant impact this season and help to build the club going forward.

Having very recently gained promotion from League One, Stendel could be an impressive appointment for the Mackems, as he played a fairly exciting brand of football at Barnsley, however, having struggled in the Championship this season, Stewart Donald and co may have concerns about whether he is the right appointment to take the club forward in the future.