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.
![Nathan Jones has rejected the chance to become the next manager of Sunderland's Championship rivals Rotherham United. The former Luton Town boss was interviewed early last week and subsequently offered the job. Jones has been out of work since his Southampton sacking and we may well see his name linked with the Sunderland job. With the bookies, Jones is one of the favourites at 8/1.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjNiMTc3MDY1LWZiZWMtNGFkNi05MWI0LWFlNzhhZTg1Yzg2ZDpkNzI1NTJkNC0wMzkxLTRiZDMtYjM5MS0wN2U4MWUxYTBiZTc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
13. Nathan Jones
Nathan Jones has rejected the chance to become the next manager of Sunderland's Championship rivals Rotherham United. The former Luton Town boss was interviewed early last week and subsequently offered the job. Jones has been out of work since his Southampton sacking and we may well see his name linked with the Sunderland job. With the bookies, Jones is one of the favourites at 8/1.Photo: Warren Little
![After winning the 2023 Johan Cruyff Shield and the 2022-23 KNVB Cup with PSV, Nistelrooy resigned with one match remaining in the 2022-23 Eredivisie season, citing a lack of support. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker is a seriously highly-rated coach which may place him slightly out of Sunderland's reach.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjgyNzZlOTVhLTNhOGYtNGNmMi04YTIxLWFlNjVkZjk1MWEyNjo5MjNkYTFkYy1kYTNiLTRiZjMtODVkYy1iMDE5NmQ3ZWFmODc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
14. Ruud van Nistelrooy
After winning the 2023 Johan Cruyff Shield and the 2022-23 KNVB Cup with PSV, Nistelrooy resigned with one match remaining in the 2022-23 Eredivisie season, citing a lack of support. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker is a seriously highly-rated coach which may place him slightly out of Sunderland's reach.Photo: Fran Santiago
![The former Newcastle United player has managed Fulham, Bournemouth and Club Brugge and has two promotions from the Championship on his CV.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjk4NTVmNjNkLTVlMWUtNGQ3Mi1hZTNmLWZkNGY3OTAyNTI0MzowNDIwNmIyZi0xMjYwLTQ0MTItOTkxMi0wMTEzMmJjZGYxYzg=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
15. Scott Parker
The former Newcastle United player has managed Fulham, Bournemouth and Club Brugge and has two promotions from the Championship on his CV.Photo: Gualter Fatia
![The former QPR and Rangers manager is rated as having a 20/1 chance by the bookies of taking the Sunderland job following Tony Mowbray's sacking.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjg2MDgyYWEwLTQwYjctNDk5Ni05YzEyLTJiMWQ5MTdlZDM0MjozNmFhNThhMS1mOGNkLTRjNzMtYjI0YS0xOGViNDdiYzU5YWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
16. Michael Beale
The former QPR and Rangers manager is rated as having a 20/1 chance by the bookies of taking the Sunderland job following Tony Mowbray's sacking.Photo: Ian MacNicol