Life post-Phil Parkinson hasn’t got off to an ideal start at Sunderland.

Amid the ongoing news that Stewart Donald has agreed a takeover of the club with Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, they are now looking for a new manager too.

Before the Black Cats took on Burton on Tuesday evening, Phil Parkinson was given the boot after a succession of poor results. It was unsurprising, especially given the unrelenting views from supporters.

Parkinson missed out on promotion last term and thus, patience was already wearing thin on the ground for the former Bolton boss.

Though, whoever comes in next will have their work cut out. Sunderland are now six points off top spot and the new manager may be without Luke O’Nien, Charlie Wyke and Lynden Gooch through injury.

Furthermore, he will have a big decision to make between the sticks. Lee Burge began the season as Sunderland’s number one but in recent games, it was Remi Matthews that Parkinson favoured.

The duo worked together at Bolton so clearly had previous affinities, but caretaker manager Andrew Taylor persevered with Matthews against Burton.

It was a costly decision, one that came back to bite Taylor and his side disastrously. That’s because the 26-year-old made a horrendous error that allowed the Brewers to take the lead at the Stadium of Light.

Joe Powell unleashed an effort from outside the box which bounced just in front of Matthews who spilt it straight to Charles Vernom. The Burton winger was left with a tap in and couldn’t miss from just a matter of yards out.

With promotion on the line, those types of mistakes simply cannot afford to happen. Throughout the course of the match, Matthews made just 12 passes and two saves. Only six of his 17 long balls found a teammate too.

Not only was the goalkeeper poor with his distribution but he also struggled to stamp down his authority in the penalty area. Sunderland need someone who is far more commanding.

One thing is clear when the new manager arrives – Burge has to come back into the XI.

Meanwhile, Sunderland MUST hand more minutes to one young striker...