Stephen Elliott: Why Phil Parkinson had to go and why Sunderland MUST avoid cheap option replacement

He also used an apparent slope on the Fleetwood pitch as a legitimate excuse for the failure to win, which I have to say, I found rather bemusing.

So when the news came in on Sunday of his sacking, I can’t say I was majorly surprised (I did have to rewrite this column, though).

So who comes in next?

Sunderland supporters need a manager to relate to.

They need somebody with real passion, from whom they can receive a buzz from.

It’s a special club and only those who have ever been part of it totally understand it.

The new appointment has to be one that will excite the crowd, as well as getting the players to give that extra 10 per cent from their normal performance.

They need to generate an electricity in the club that, if we are honest, hasn’t been seen since Sam Allardyce was in charge.

Phil Parkinson failed to do any of those things and unfortunately but, rightly, has been given his P45.

There will be the usual names thrown about to replace him, of course, but for me the next manager has to be somebody who is a big character and has charisma.

If you couldn’t guarantee that then it has to be somebody that has some affinity with the club.

The people in the area need to relate to the club again so this appointment needs to reflect that and it is a massive one.

If you look at the league table, it shows Sunderland are still ‘there or thereabouts’ and just outside the promotion mix.

For me, that isn’t good enough.

This club should be more than just being in the mix, they should be the main ingredient, certainly at this level.

The new manager, whoever that is, has to make that happen.

Whoever is actually making the decision on this appointment has to make sure it’s not merely a cheap option.

It has to be somebody who will get this club’s pulse racing again!

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