STATEMENT:Tony Mowbray thanks players, staff and supporters

Tony Mowbray has issued a statement to the League Manager’s Association following his departure from Sunderland AFC.

My fifteen months of exciting experiences at Sunderland have come to an end.

I am grateful to Kyril Louis-Dreyfus for giving me the opportunity to oversee such an important and historic football team.

In my opinion, I leave the Club with a strong and cohesive dressing room in addition to a favorable league position.

Thank you to all of the players. Working with you has been a pleasure. Because humility is one of your key values in the dressing room, you are a unique bunch. I appreciate you adopting our practices, and I hope the trip was enjoyable for you.

I am appreciative of the older players who flourished under the style of play as well as the veteran professionals who served as mentors and role models for their younger teammates.

Thank you to every member of the support personnel at the stadium and training field for fostering an environment so conducive to the players’ success.

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to the supporters, who are the most significant members of any football team. I shall always be appreciative of the incredible support you provided to both the team and me individually. I was genuinely touched by Wearside’s friendliness, as I am a native of Teeside. It is a relationship that I truly value.

You all created an amazing environment in the Stadium of Light, and for those of you who traveled in their numbers to support the team around the nation, thank you so much for your outstanding support.

I head out fired up and ready for my next adventure.

I’m grateful for the memories.