Michael Beale was appointed as Tony Mowbray's successor in December but has left the club after back-to-back defeats to Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City.
Beale did not take training at the Academy of Light today. The former Rangers boss was handed a two-and-a-half year contract but in the end took charge of just 12 fixtures, including the 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Newcastle United.
His final record reads at 4 wins, two draws and seven defeats. Mike Dodds, who oversaw three games following Tony Mowbray's departure, is expected to return to the post of interim head coach. He will likely stay in that role until the summer, giving the club time to plot their long-term direction.
But who will take over from Beale at the Academy of Light? Here, we take a look at the early candidates:
9. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed success in Norway, then managing Cardiff City and Manchester United but was sacked from both jobs. This one feels unlikely, though. Photo: Matt McNulty
10. Slaven Bilic
The former West Ham and West Brom boss is now managing Al Ahsaa in Saudi Arabia so is unlikely to come to Sunderland but his name may be mentioned with the job. Photo: Yasser Bakhsh
11. Dean Smith
Dean Smith is the head coach of Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC but could see his name linked with the Sunderland job. Photo: Catherine Ivill
12. Paul Heckingbottom
The former Sunderland player has been out of work since leaving Sheffield United. Photo: Matt McNulty