Finally.
Sunderland AFC have issued two statements confirming Chris Coleman’s departure and that the club will be sold by current owner Ellis Short.
Chris Coleman and his assistant manager, Kit Symons, have been released from their contracts, after the club were relegated from the Championship to League One.
Club Statement: Chris Colemanhttps://t.co/xB61bqeVw2
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) April 29, 2018
Coleman took over from Simon Grayson in November 2017, but failed to inspire a resurgence and oversaw the continuing decline of a club in financial trouble.
Sunderland’s official statement says: “The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Chris and Kit for their tireless efforts in what has been a hugely disappointing season for everyone involved with the club.”
The club then issued another statement, detailing that Short has agreed to sell the club to “an international consortium of football investors.” The deal is still subject to approval from the English Football League, and will ownership pass over to a group led by Stewart Donald, chairman of Eastleigh FC.
Announcing the news, Ellis Short said: “It is no secret that I have been trying to sell Sunderland, but I have waited until the right group came along, that have the experiences, finances and plan to take this great club back to where it deserves to be.”
Stewart Donald said: “All of us involved in this bid believe that Sunderland represents an extraordinary opportunity.”
CLUB STATEMENT: Sunderland AFC to change ownership pic.twitter.com/REy00JBFsl
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) April 29, 2018
