Sunderland are facing back-to-back relegations, with their spell in the Sky Bet Championship looking like it will be an extremely short one, with the Black Cats in danger of falling through the trap door and into League One.

Following relegation from the Premier League last season, Simon Grayson was brought to the Stadium of Light to steady the ship, with the experienced Championship manager turning his back on Preston North End in favour of a move to the North East.

Grayson has operated on a tight budget before, and was tasked once again with limiting spends on his arrival at the Stadium of Light. However, the lack of quality in Sunderland’s squad is apparent, and limited summer business has cost Grayson is job at the Stadium of Light, with the club now searching for his successor.

Here at FLW, we look at THREE managers Sunderland should have considered ahead of Grayson…

Steve Cotterill  

Cotterill is currently with Birmingham City, but at the time of Grayson’s appointment, was looking for a way back into management.

The likelihood is Cotterill would not have been able to deliver an instant Premier League return, but given full control for a season, he is well equipped for a fight for survival.

Not the most inspiring appointment, but Sunderland might not be in the mess they find themselves in.

Nigel Clough

Clough did exceptionally well to keep Burton Albion in the Championship last season, when nobody expected them to survive in the second-tier.

The 51-year-old does not get the credit he deserves for his job at the Pirelli Stadium, and although his side are fighting relegation this season, his ability should not be questioned.

Certainly an option Sunderland should’ve considered.

Mick McCarthy

McCarthy has previously managed at the Stadium of Light, winning the club the Championship trophy and promotion in 2005.

The Ipswich Town boss is not the most popular figure at Portman Road, and a chance to return to Sunderland might have been something he was interested in.

McCarthy wouldn’t have inspired Sunderland to another promotion, but it would be hard to imagine one of his sides in the relegation scrap Sunderland find themselves in now.