Ex-Sunderland boss discusses takeover and issues warning ahead of League One campaign

Sunderland will be playing League One football next season after suffering successive relegations.

They will start the new campaign in the third tier with a new owner and a new manager after Chris Coleman was sacked before confirmation Ellis Short had sold Sunderland to an international consortium headed by Eastleigh owner Stewart Donald.

When asked if Sunderland will prove a good purchase, Grayson told Sky Sports: "You would say so, because you can’t imagine that Sunderland will go any lower than they are currently and where they’ll be playing next season.

"There’s been some big clubs in League One - Man City, Forest, Leeds United - and they all found it difficult to get out of there at the first attempt.

"It’s going to be an FA Cup final for all the teams playing against them next season, and ultimately it’s tough to do [get promotion from League One].

"What they’ve got to do now is start afresh.

"They’ve got a new owner coming in and will have a new manager, and if they can start the season well then they can get back very quickly."