What next for Sunderland? Chris Coleman on the impact ownership uncertainty is having on plans

Coleman hasn't spoken directly to owner Ellis Short since taking charge in November, with the club's US-based owner liaising with chief executive Martin Bain.

While Short is actively trying to sell Sunderland no deal is thought to be imminent and it leaves Coleman - who wants to remain in charge - in the land of uncertainty when it comes to cracking on with his summer rebuild plans.

Sunderland were relegated to League One on Saturday afternoon after they threw away the lead against relegation rivals Burton Albion.

When asked where does it go from here, Coleman said: "I don't know to be honest with you, I don't know what the plan is.

"Obviously we have been looking at recruitment of players, we are looking at different scenarios and players, fees, frees etc but we don't know, we haven't been told what is what.

"When I speak with Martin, he is as much in the dark as me. Now, maybe, we know were we are we can say 'yes, this has happened, this is the plan.'

"If it is with our current chairman, hopefully it is with new owners, but at the moment you have to look at it and think it will with our chairman and say 'so, what is the idea for us moving forward?'

"Right now, it is very raw of course. It has just happened. It is brutally painful.

"I have only been here two minutes compared to the supporters who have been here for years, I can't imagine what they will be feeling.

"I wish I could come out and say this is where we going but I don't know an exact course. I know what needs to be done, certain things need to happen for that to happen.

"Right now, I can't tell you what is in store going forward, I can't tell you. It is hard but that is the truth, the sadness of the situation."