The most groundbreaking day in Sunderland’s history has arrived: New owners in, Chris Coleman out

A whirlwind of a day on Wearside has seen the club sold to an international consortium whilst Chris Coleman and his assistant Kit Symons have also left as a result.

At lunchtime today, the club announced that Chris Coleman and his assistant had been released from their contracts, much to the dismay of many fans. Yet moments later another announcement was made stating that the club had been sold to an international group headed by Stewart Donald - former chairman of Eastleigh FC.

Coleman’s release from the club comes as a shock to many, especially considering the statements he has made in recent weeks about wanting to stay and build a dynasty of sorts. However, the club’s announcement did little to clarify reasons behind Coleman’s exit from the club.

Whether Coleman and Symons are off to another club in search of fresh managerial impetus, or have been asked to leave ahead of the new owner coming into the club, remains to be seen and will likely be clarified in the coming days.

Fans were left with little time to lament Coleman’s departure, though, as news swiftly followed declaring that the reign of Ellis Short looks to be over.

Short noted in the statement that the club is now “debt free,” though this was likely in exchange for significant up-front payment and other clauses added into the terms of the sale.

That being said, his acknowledgement of his poor tenure, and the decision to accept what he suggests was a less lucrative offer in exchange for better qualified buyers seems to be a positive action from the much-maligned soon-to-be former owner.

Fans will now wait as Donald and his group bed themselves into a club that has struggled for what feels like an eternity.

With no debt, and backed by an “international consortium of football investors,” fans will be rightly excited as to what lies ahead for our beloved club.

More news to follow.