Club bosses have thanked Mowbray and said it was a 'difficult decision' to take. Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: “We are now focused on identifying the right candidate and we will continue to support our coaching team and players throughout the interim period.”
The club has confirmed Mike Dodds will 'lead the first team’s training and match preparations until the process to appoint a new Head Coach has concluded.'
A club statement read: "Sunderland AFC has this evening parted company with Head Coach Tony Mowbray. The Club would like thank Tony for the positive contribution he has made throughout the past two seasons alongside his assistant Mark Venus, who also departs.
"Both will always be welcome back at the Stadium of Light and we wish them well for the future."
The Black Cats are next in Championship action against West Brom at the Stadium of Light on Saturday after their recent 1-1 draw with Millwall at The Den.
Here, though, we take a look at the early runners and riders to replace Tony Mowbray at the Stadium of Light:
A club statement read: "Sunderland AFC has this evening parted company with Head Coach Tony Mowbray. The Club would like thank Tony for the positive contribution he has made throughout the past two seasons alongside his assistant Mark Venus, who also departs.
![The former Northern Ireland manager was most recently at Stoke City but was sacked and it is likely that Sunderland will probably look elsewhere.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmYwYjNlOTM5LTE3ZjQtNDEwNS1iZDgyLWI2YzJjMzY5MGJlYTo5NDQxYWNhMy03NTE3LTQ4OTMtODI3My01YTY4MTMwODRiY2E=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
9. Michael O'Niell
The former Northern Ireland manager was most recently at Stoke City but was sacked and it is likely that Sunderland will probably look elsewhere.Photo: Gareth Copley
![Jesse Marsch has been out of work since leaving Leeds United in 2023. The American, however, lacks Championship experience which could be a red flag for Sunderland if he was to apply for the role.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjhhMTZmYmYyLTFjZDMtNDUxNC05ZDE0LTJkYTkyMTljM2I3NzpjYjQwMmUyNS02MmNhLTQ2YzYtOTZhZi05NGZlYjYzOWMxMjU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
10. Jesse Marsch
Jesse Marsch has been out of work since leaving Leeds United in 2023. The American, however, lacks Championship experience which could be a red flag for Sunderland if he was to apply for the role.Photo: Clive Mason
![The former Southampton boss has bags of Premier League experience over four years with the Saints but has also never managed in the Championship.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjA5M2QzMjFjLTkzMzctNDNjZC1hY2IzLWU3NDNhOTk4NzhkNTplMDNmZDVkNi02M2MyLTRhMmQtOGZhNi1mMjM3NzZkZGU1NTU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
11. Ralph Hasenhuttl
The former Southampton boss has bags of Premier League experience over four years with the Saints but has also never managed in the Championship.Photo: Charlie Crowhurst
![The former Sunderland manager stated that he wouldn't be tempted to return to the Stadium of Light while the club were in League One but the Black Cats are now in the Championship. Allardyce was last at Leeds United last season as they suffered relegation from the Premier League.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjI0Y2JlNTI1LWViZmMtNGEwZi05YTdhLWYxOTZiMjM1MmE3Nzo5NGQ4YjVlZS0xZjg0LTRmOWMtYTE0Yi00YTY1MDI2MGQ2MDI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
12. Sam Allardyce
The former Sunderland manager stated that he wouldn't be tempted to return to the Stadium of Light while the club were in League One but the Black Cats are now in the Championship. Allardyce was last at Leeds United last season as they suffered relegation from the Premier League.Photo: Stu Forster