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.
9. Peterborough - (H) - 13/03/2020
Darren Ferguson's Posh will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season and Sunderland will be looking to avenge the embarrassing loss they suffered under Jack Ross earlier this season. | Getty Images Photo: David Price
10. Rotherham United - (A) - 13/03/2020
The final game of the League One season could prove crucial, a good result could seal the Black Cats fate in regards to promotion ot play-off places if things go well for Parkinson. | Getty Images Photo: Lewis Storey