Sunderland face Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light to close out their 2023-24 Championship campaign and bring the the curtain down on what has been a desperately disappointing second half to the season.

Sunderland have seen three different head coaches in the dugout this season after the decision was made to part company with Tony Mowbray in December before Michael Beale's unsuccessful tenure in the new year. Beale lasted just 12 games before being replaced by Mike Dodds as interim head coach, having done so for three games prior to Beale's appointment, but he was unable to reverse the momentum of Sunderland's decline. 

 

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Having found themselves involved in a play-off battle at the midway point of the season, Sunderland could end the season just six points above the relegation zone as the club looks towards a summer that will require much deliberation from all areas.

A new head coach will be the first objective for the Sunderland hierarchy before a potentially busy summer of recruitment in order to re-establish themselves as promotion contenders next season. That head coach won't be Dodds, who delivered his final pre-match press conference as interim head coach ahead of the visit of Sheffield Wednesday. 

Dodds outlined his verdict of the last three months in charge, highlighting his pride in the job done despite a run of just two wins in 12 games heading into the final day of the season. Dodds also shared his views on what comes next at the Stadium of Light and what the club needs this summer in order to improve.

Joe Ramage and Dom Shaw debrief Dodds' press conference in our latest We Are Sunderland briefing as well as consider the interesting managerial movement this week following news of Will Still's exit from French Ligue 1 side Reims. Still has been on Sunderland's radar since December's sacking of Mowbray but could the timing of his exit be purely coincidental? 

All of that, plus Jack Clarke's future and how things could pan out against a Sheffield Wednesday side who need just one point to secure their Championship status on the final day of the season at the Stadium of Light.

You can view our latest We Are Sunderland briefing below or via our YouTube channel.

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