The Black Cats have suffered three defeats in a row and although they currently occupy a playoff berth, their automatic promotion hopes are fading, and teams below are catching up fast.
However, a new manager will bring optimism back to Wearside and Sunderland have 15 games to make good on their early season promise and end the season on a high.
Is automatic promotion a likely outcome this season? Or will it be the dreaded playoffs once again for Sunderland? Or worse?
Here, courtesy of FiveThirtyEight, a ‘supercomputer’ has predicted how the 2021/22 League One season will finish and which position each team is most likely to finish the season in, based on statistical analysis.
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13. 12th: Charlton Athletic - 63 points
After a disastrous start to the season, it would have been unthinkable for Charlton to mount a playoff push. Even though the supercomputer believes it is a very unlikely outcome, there is a small possibility of The Valley hosting playoff football in May. Supercomputer prediction: 2% chance of a playoff place Photo: Jacques Feeney
14. 11th: Portsmouth - 66 points
It has been a disappointing season at Fratton Park with Pompey failing to live up to their pre-season hype. A win against Burton ended a streak of three defeats in a row with promotion a faint possibility this term. Supercomputer prediction: 7% chance of a playoff place, 2% chance of automatic promotion Photo: Julian Finney
15. 10th: Bolton Wanderers - 67 points
Ian Evatt’s side took a while to adapt to League One but have found their footing recently having won five of their last six games - giving them an outside chance of reaching the playoffs. Supercomputer prediction: 9% chance of a playoff place, 3% chance of automatic promotion Photo: Alex Livesey
16. 9th: Ipswich Town - 71 points
Ipswich have enjoyed a resurgence under Kieran McKenna and have won four of their last five games to fire them into the promotion picture, but will they be made to pay for a slow start to the campaign? Supercomputer prediction: 21% chance of a playoff place, 7% chance of automatic promotion Photo: Ashley Allen