Nigel Clough makes shock Burton Albion departure in stark reflection of financial challenges facing Sunderland's rivals

Clough has been replaced by club captain Jake Buxton, with chairman Ben Robinson citing the financial pressures of the COVID-19 crisis as crucial to the decision.

The Sunderland-born manager says he is looking forward to his next challenge in football, ‘wherever and whenever that is’.

“It’s with great sadness that Gary [Crosby], Simon [Clough] and I have decided to step away. We are now looking forward to our next challenge in football wherever and whenever that is.

“We couldn’t leave the club in better hands than with Jake, who as captain has shown himself to be a respected leader on and off the pitch. It’s a great opportunity for him and there is no better club at which to make your start in management.

“We hope that by stepping away it helps the club with the financial pressures in these unprecedented times, and that it will also help the club secure the jobs of as many of the staff as possible going forward. We are sure Jake will benefit from the experience and continuity of having as many of the current backroom staff as possible supporting him.”

In a candid admission, Robinson said the current crisis is having a ‘dramatic impact on all football clubs’.

“Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic is having a dramatic impact on all football clubs, meaning we have to make difficult financial decisions going forward in order to safeguard the club and ensure it still exists for the supporters and the benefit of the community for generations to come,” he said.

“At present we have no idea when football will be safe to re-start and whether we will be able to play in front of crowds or behind closed doors, which brings a high degree of financial uncertainty.

“It’s therefore with a heavy heart that after talks with Nigel, Gary and Simon we have agreed that their departure will help us meet these challenges. I want to thank them for all their hard work and dedication over their long association with the club.

“Jake Buxton is the natural choice to take over as player/manager as he knows the club inside and out. He continues our long tradition of giving young managers an opportunity and I’m sure he will go on to be as successful as he has been on the field.”

Burton Albion are one of the sides who are keen to bring an immediate end to the current League One campaign.

Sunderland and five of their rivals are keen to ensure matters of promotion are settled at least in part on the pitch, with the potential solution of an extended play-off campaign mooted.

League One clubs are expected to convene later this week and could hold an indicative vote on the matter.

Any decision would have to be agreed to by a majority of EFL and Championship clubs, before being ratified by the EFL board.