Sunderland

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Sunderland have announced four pre-season friendlies for this summer.

The Black Cats will kick-off their pre-season schedule with a double bill facing South Shields and Gateshead on the same day, like last year, on Saturday 13 July.

The squad will then travel to Alicante where there are then two TBC fixtures the following weekend before a trip to Blackpool on Saturday 27 July, and then Bradford City on Tuesday 30 July.

A final fixture is TBC for the weekend of August 3.

• Saturday 13 July – South Shields (A, 12.30pm)

• Saturday 13 July – Gateshead FC (A, 5pm)

• Saturday 20 July – TBC

• Sunday 21 July – TBC

• Saturday 27 July – Blackpool (A, 3pm)

• Tuesday 30 July – Bradford City (A, 7.30pm)

• Weekend of August 3 – TBC

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Club captain Corry Evans Sunderland exit has been confirmed after the Black Cats have released their retained list for next season.

Evans made 67 appearances for Sunderland after joining from Blackburn in 2021, guiding the club to promotion via the League One play-offs. The midfielder picked up an injury earlier in the 23-24 campaign but returned for the final three games of the season.

In a letter to fans, Evans said, "It is with a heavy heart that I announce my departure from the Club.

"This Club, and all of you, have been my family for the past three years, and leading this team as captain has been the greatest honour of my career.

"Your unwavering support, passion, and loyalty have been a constant source of inspiration to me and my teammates.

"Together, we've experienced unforgettable highs. That day at Wembley is one that I will never forget. It's been a privilege to fight for this badge and to represent you on the pitch.

"Though my journey with Sunderland is coming to an end, myself and my family will forever be supporting you. Thank you for everything, and I wish the Club nothing but success in the future.

"Ha'way the Lads!"

Bradley Dack, Jack Diamond and Ellis Taylor are among the other names leaving the club.

What do you think of Corry's exit? Have your say here.

The transfer window opens for Sunderland next month on the 14th June.

A lot of Sunderland's squad appear to be targets for Premier League club and European giants alike.

Jack Clarke has long been admired. Academy graduate duo Anthony Patterson and Dan Neil have both been linked with moves and speculation also surrounds scholar Chris Rigg along with Jobe Bellingham, Dan Ballard and Trai Hume.

Every player has a price but with Premier League promotion to ultimate goal, are there some players Sunderland have to keep and build the team around?

Have your say on how you would manage the outgoing transfers here.

Sunderland will be able to sign players from the 14th June when the summer transfer window opens.

Fans have been crying out for a proven goalscorer and many would like to see experience added to the side to balance out the youth development model the club have adopted.

What do you want Sunderland's transfer priorities to be? Have your say here.

We asked for your thoughts on who should be Sunderland's next head coach. Here are some of your comments:

Richie: I’d take a punt on Rosenior, did well at Hull and can only get better, but on the transfer side the owners have to cut a bit of slack.

Derek: It seems the club do not know now three months on and no decisions announced. The Stadium of Light is a tough place so someone with teflon and experience. A bit like Mowbray I suppose.

Grahame: The next gaffer has to be able to bring his own staff in, whether it's Will Still or someone else. Personally I would go for Steve Cooper.

Brian: This is a big summer at Sunderland. We need a quick appointment. They've had four months to consider who to appoint. The form from January onwards was relegation form. Some experience is required and a proper centre forward or two. Please get it sorted quickly.

Roberto: Tony Mowbray. Like almost all Sunderland fans, I didn't want him to be sacked in the first place. But as re-appointing him looks unlikely, I think we should go for Will Still. The big question is, will Will Still still be interested in the job?

Terry: Steve Cooper. Very experienced in Championship and Premier League, has good CV in coaching younger players and used to working on a tight budget in the lower league.

John: Michael Duff should be given the new role, after various promotions and only failed role at Swansea. With lots of experience at all levels. The Black Cats could be on the way back!

Anthony: It’s got to be Will Still. Should have done everything it too to get him last time, the season couldn’t have been any worse after Mowbray was dismissed. Perhaps he’s seen what a mess we’re in and is put off now. Who knows where we would have been if his appointment had been made when he interviewed last time but I’d guess it would be better than now.

Colin: Paul Heckingbottom would be my choice, but with this owner and director of football it could be anybody.

Chris: Too much of a risk to take a punt on a coach with no direct experience of Championship football. Cooper and Rosenior have proven themselves more than capable at this level, but whoever is appointed it needs to happen soon. After all, the Board have had months to draw up a shortlist.

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Sunderland's under 21s are through to the semi-final of the Premier League 2 play-offs.

The young Black Cats beat West Ham's under 21s in a dramatic quarter final tie.

The Hammers opened the scoring before an Ellis Taylor equaliser sent the game to extra time with it being 1-1 at full time.

The visitors at Eppleton took the lead again which was then cancelled out by a Caden Kelly goal for Sunderland.

West Ham missed a penalty just before getting their third of the game but Sunderland made another comeback through Tommy Watson.

It was Watson who also scored the winning penalty with Sunderland scoring all five of their spot kicks and West Ham missing their fourth effort.

Sunderland will face Reading in the semi-final.

Sunderland's search for a new head coach continues after the close of the season.

Supporters on Wearside were hoping for an announcement of a new appointment pretty quickly after, if not before the end of 2023-24 Championship campaign but we're yet to discover who will take charge at the Stadium of Light.

Mike Dodds took interim charge for the remaining games of the season after the controversial Michael Beale was sacked. Beale had replaced popular boss Tony Mowbray.

Candidates ranging from Will Still to Jermain Defoe and Steve Cooper, Paul Heckingbottom and Danny Rohl have been rumoured to be next in line for the Black Cats. Rene Maric, Liam Rosenior and Bo Svennson have also since emerged as possibilities.

Who would you like to see take charge of Sunderland for next season and why? Have your say here.

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Sheffield United are set to bid about £8m for Sunderland's 23-year-old English goalkeeper Anthony Patterson. (Sun), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

We asked for your thoughts on Sunderland's 2023-24 season now its over. Here are some of your comments.

John: I have supported Sunderland for over 60 years and this is one of the worst seasons ever. Getting rid of Mowbray was in disaster. Speakman must be sacked immediately!

Colin: Absolutely disgraceful season, these loyal fans let down yet again by the owner, his director of football and the players. Alarmingly I can't see any improvement coming without people at the top who know what they're doing.

Doug: Mowbray was averaging 1.3 ppg. That would’ve seen us finish 10th. That’s pretty much what you get with him… a finish somewhere between 6th - 12th. The problem wasn’t sacking Mowbray, it was failing to grasp that a Head Coach requires key man-management and communication skills, and tactical acumen. I just hope they’ve learned from their mistake!

Michael: Very poor season. While somewhat imbalanced in terms of youth/experience, Sunderland's squad should be finishing higher than 16th. The players have quality but have been completely mismanaged. Sacking Mowbray wasn't necessarily the issue, it was appointing Beale. It can't be overstated how big this coming summer window is for us. Regime-defining.

David: A complete mess up by the admin/hierarchy. Letting Simms slip away, driving Mowbray away, letting quality leave with scarcely a whimper, believing that buying cheap works and rewarding sick note players with contracts. Speakman and Co are anti football.

Ricky: Terrible waste of one of the most exciting and promising squads we’ve had in years. Horrific mismanagement.

Karen: The season started full of hope especially the result v Southampton and then a slow decline to the point it was a relief to see it end. The games were boring and prescriptive - too many backward balls - no foresight to get in the box and you might score! Shots on target woeful Not enough from certain players looked like they didn’t care.

Luke: Disconnected is this years word to round up the season. I've never felt more disconnected as a fan. The inability to prepare the right next manager whilst ready to sack the other, decorating the Black Cats Bar in Newcastle banners, and a way of playing that's just been completely left behind. Roll on the next season.

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Sunderland have been linked with signing Ian Poveda on a free transfer

Spanish newspaper Diario AS, external have reported the Black Cats have joined the race to sign Poveda when his contract with Leeds expires this summer.

The Colombian winger joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan in January making 17 league appearances between both clubs but wasn't in either side's squad when they played Sunderland. He only managed 1 assist and scored no goals in this campaign.

The 24-year-old was a Manchester City academy player making one EFL cup appearance for the senior team before joining Leeds on a free and has also had loan spells at Blackburn and Blackpool.

Poveda has been capped twice with Colombia and has played 69 domestic senior league games including 10 in the Premier League with Leeds and the rest split between spells in the Championship.

Luton, Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday are the other clubs reportedly interested.

Would you want Poveda at Sunderland? Have your say here.

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Jewison Bennette is set to return to Sunderland this summer to "define his future."

The Sunderland winger joined Greek side Aris FC on loan in January and made just two appearances in the Super League.

Costa Rican journalist Kevin Jimenez tweeted today, "Jewison Bennette will not continue at Aris FC, the Costa Rican winger will return to Sunderland in the preseason to define his future."

How do you rate Bennette and his future on Wearside? Have your say here.

The regular 23-24 Championship campaign has come to a close and Sunderland's season is over.

A 16th placed finish in the league, knocked out of the FA Cup third round by rivals Newcastle United and eliminated from the EFL Cup in the first round by Crewe Alexandra - it's been a generally disappointing season.

Off the field there has been controversy with The Black Cats bar, Tony Mowbray's sacking and Michael Beale's short tenure in charge.

There have been highlights with positive performances from the likes of Jack Clarke and Dan Ballard, the continued emergence of Chris Rigg and that 5-0 demolishing of Southampton.

How do you reflect on Sunderland's 23-24 season? Have your say here.

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Total Sport have paid tribute to Viv Busby who has died aged 74.

Simon Pryde, Nick Barnes and Marco Gabbiadini discussed the legacy left behind by the former Sunderland first team coach.

You can listen to the full tribute on BBC Sounds here.

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Two years ago today, Sunderland secured their place in the League One play-off final.

On May 9 in 2022, Patrick Roberts scored a stoppage-time winner at Hillsborough as The Black Cats beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 on aggregate.

Ross Stewart's goal was the difference in the first leg with Sunderland winning 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.

Lee Gregory scored the opener for The Owls in the second leg but Jack Clarke driving into the box to assist Patrick Roberts sent the side then lead by Alex Neil to Wembley.

What are your memories of this time and how do you reflect on it now? Have your say here.

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According to SAFC Ticket Tracker, external, over 30,000 supporters have secured their season cards for the 2024-25 campaign.

38,128 seats were made available for sale and there are around 7,000 left.

Some fans have been disgruntled after a season of disappointing transfers, mistakes with managerial changes and finishing 16th in the Championship but as ever the Black Cats' supporters are showing their loyalty.

Throughout the season they had the highest recorded attendances week in and week out, home and away, and it looks like it'll be the same next season too.

Image source, Sunderland AFC

Sunderland have appointed David Bruce as the Club's new Chief Business Officer.

He joined the Black Cats as Chief Brand and Commercial Officer last July and is responsible for the partnerships with hummel and Fanatics.

David was born in Wearside but made his name in the MLS where he was part of the team that introduced 13 new Clubs to the league, created a global broadcast relationship with Apple TV and helped launch Lionel Messi's arrival in the US.

In the statement on the Club website, external, Sunderland say "His appointment forms part of a wider restructuring within the business operation, which aims to establish greater levels of leadership and ensure a renewed commitment to fan centricity can be fully embraced throughout the Club."

We asked for your thoughts after Sunderland's loss to Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season. Here are some of your comments:

Milo: Barely put a dent in them, poor performance. Glad Dodds is going but we need a big summer window to get this club moving forwards again. Ha'way!

Colin: Expected nothing less. Absolute pile of garbage.

Jack: Another disappointing result to cap off what can only be described as an extremely underwhelming season. Hopefully the board make the changes necessary for next season so we can make push back into the top flight! We will all be 100% behind the lads and let’s hope for next season to be a good one! Haway the lads!

Linda: Serious changes need to be made. Very poor performance consistently for too many matches now. Can’t believe the team we’ve become. Coaching staff need to be replaced imo as not working their magic! Players recruited previously have been a nightmare. Come on Sunderland you must do much better next season. Wish to forget this season.

James: Thank heaven this season is over! Take a look at the table and where we finished, what is wrong?

John: Total lack of skill and effort by every member of squad, disgrace to the name SAFC and past players.

Edward: Pathetic and so pleased the season is over. If there had been another three games we would be relegated. Everyone at this club apart from the supporters should be ashamed.

Joe: Everybody knew Bannon would run their midfield but we planned and did nothing to cope with him. No SAFC player should be happy with his contribution today. Speakman has had the worst season of all and needs to go now.

Tim: Figured we would lose 1-3 today. The season since Mowbray's departure has been a total disaster with much time wasted by ownership and management. Today's performance was typical. A whimpering pathetic end to a season that promised so much and delivered so little.

Lynne: Very poor game. Players not trying hard enough. Booed off at half time and full time tells you how bad things are. The club needs a real shame up!