Sunderland's best and worst managers since 1973 - ranked by win percentage
By Joe Ramage
Published 23rd Sep 2021, 12:00 BST
Updated 23rd Sep 2021, 17:37 BST
It’s never dull at Sunderland when it comes to managers.
Whether it be fighting for promotion of fighting to stave off relegation Sunderland managers always have an expectation upon them.
But which Sunderland managers have exceeded those expectations and which haven’t?
Here we take a look back over the previous 29 permanent Sunderland managers since Bob Stokoe’s side famously lifted the FA Cup in 1973 and rank them based on their win percentage.
The list does not include those who have been in interim charge.
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Here we take a look back over the previous 29 permanent Sunderland managers since Bob Stokoe’s side famously lifted the FA Cup in 1973 and rank them based on their win percentage.
25. Peter Reid – March 1995 – October 2002 – 45.04%
Alongside Bob Stokoe, Reid is Sunderland’s most famous manager taking the club to the brink of European football at the turn of the millennium. Reid won just short of half of his 353 games in charge on Wearside and also oversaw the transition from Roker Park to the Stadium of Light. Things might have ended sourly for Reid in 2002 but he is very much considered a legend in this part of the North East. Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill/ALLSPORT Photo: Clive Brunskill
26. Bob Stokoe – November 1972 – October 1976 – 45.83%
It may have been almost 50 years ago but Stokoe’s name will forever be cherished on Wearside after he brought home the FA Cup in 1973. The run across the Wembley turf is iconic but outside of that success his record during his four years in charge was equally as impressive with only three managers having a higher win percentage in the last 50 years. (Photo by Don Morley/Allsport/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images
Ross represented a change in direction for a very much ‘new-look’ Sunderland following relegation to League One. The Scot arrived much sought after following a successful spell with St Mirren but was unable to seal promotion back to the Championship with a number of draws being his undoing. Still, Ross occupies one of the higher win ratios among Sunderland managers. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) Photo: Bryn Lennon
28. Billy Elliott – December 1978 – May 1979 – 51.85%
Only Tom Watson (1888-1896) and current head coach Johnson have accrued a higher winning ration than Elliott albeit over just 27 games in charge where he won 14. \ Mandatory Credit: Mark Thompson /Allsport Photo: Mark Thompson