The Scot was sacked last week after a disappointing start to the League One campaign.
Parkinson arrives with vast experience in the third tier of English football and has three promotion-winning seasons on his CV.
Here, we take a look at which games the 51-year-old Chorley-born boss will need to win if he is to be successful at Sunderland this season.
Scroll down and click through the pages to view the 10 games Parkinson MUST win.
5. Fleetwood Town (A) 01/01/2020
It's always important to start a New Year off as you mean to go on - especially against a side managed by former Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton. Jack Ross failed to beat Barton's men last year. | 2019 Getty Images Photo: Lewis Storey
6. Lincoln City (H) 04-01-2020
A busy festive period ends with Lincoln City at the Stadium of Light. Jack Ross came unstuck against The Imps earlier this season, Parkinson will be keen to right that wrong in front of a big crowd at the Stadium of Light. | 2019 Manchester United FC Photo: Manchester United
7. Portsmouth (A) 01/02/2020
Sunderland-Portsmouth is a huge game in League One and there's a wealth of play-off semi-final and Checkatrade Trophy baggage coming into the match. Sunderland fans will be desperate for a win. | Getty Images Photo: Dan Istitene
8. Ipswich Town - (H) - 08/02/2020
A win over dangerous promotion rivals towards the business end of the season would be a real statement of intent. | Getty Images Photo: Stephen Pond