Sunderland will start next season in the third-tier of English football for the first time in 30 years as the Black Cats’ demise continues.

Chris Coleman failed to turn the club’s fortunes around after taking over in November when the club was bottom of the Championship table and with a single victory to their name.

Football writer for The Times, George Caulkin, joined OTB AM on Friday to discuss the club’s fortunes and what future the club can expect in light of their latest setback.

“That’s the million dollar question [about what Sunderland’s future looks like],” Caulkin said.

“I know that interested parties have been shown around the club, but we don’t know who they are or what their motivations are.

“Niall Quinn has been advising possible groups but he insists he isn’t directly involved. His business life is very much active elsewhere, so I don’t think he’d be part of the day to day running of the club again, but never say never and don’t rule that out.

“They’re on the cusp of a very different existence. League One will be very different to the Championship and the Premier League. I’ve been to Accrington this season, for example, and its sheds – I mean that very affectionately – and it’s going to be a real grind.

“But it doesn’t have to be the end of the club; it can be the start of something. But there needs to be ambition in the boardroom and there needs to be a sense of purpose of who Sunderland are and could be.

“It’s not enough to be clinging on. Nobody has the divine right to anything but Sunderland really is a magnificent club – it has the potential to be something special.

“But they have to first remember what they are and what they could be. Sunderland should be about more than just clinging on.”

Written by James Hopper