Parkinson's first game in charge will be away to Wycombe on Saturday
Thursday 17 October 2019 11:04, UK
Former Bradford and Bolton boss Phil Parkinson has been confirmed as the new manager of Sunderland on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Parkinson takes over from Jack Ross, who was sacked last week with the club ninth in Sky Bet League One.
The 51-year-old will be joined at the Stadium of Light by assistant Steve Parkin, with the pair in the dugout for Saturday's game with Wycombe, whose manager Gareth Ainsworth, was also understood to have been a candidate for the role.
Parkinson, who has also managed Colchester, Hull and Charlton, resigned from his post at Bolton in August and is excited by his new challenge.
"It is both a privilege and immense responsibility to be appointed manager of this great club," he told Sunderland's official website.
"I've been in football a long time now, and Sunderland's immense history, the passion of its fanbase and its wonderful facilities are legendary within the game.
"It's now up to me to build on the work of my predecessor and deliver the success the fans are so desperate for.
"This is a good squad of players, and I relish the challenge of working with them to achieve our goal of promotion from League One."
Sunderland chairman Stewart Donald described Parkinson as the "prime candidate" for the role, as they look to reignite their flagging promotion push.
"Phil has a proven track record when it comes to achieving promotion and I'm delighted to welcome him to Sunderland," said Donald.
"During a rigorous recruitment process, it gradually became clear that he was the prime candidate to take the club forward. His CV put him on our short list. His references from within the game set him apart.
"I hope that Sunderland fans will all join me in welcoming him to our historic club, as we look forward to an exciting few months."
Parkinson guided League Two side Bradford to the League Cup final in 2013 and two years later they defeated then Premier League champions Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge.
He has also been named League One Manager of the Month on seven occasions.
