MIDDLESBROUGH and Sunderland's Championship rivals have taken the surprise decision to sack manager Liam Rosenior after the Tigers just missed out on the play-offs.

The 39-year-old returned to the MKM Stadium as head coach in November 2022 having been a popular figure and FA Cup finalist during his playing days in East Yorkshire.

Rosenior signed a new and improved deal until 2026 with Hull last December and was named on the three-man shortlist for Championship manager of the season.

However, Hull did also spend heavily in a bold approach to the January transfer window, with Liverpool's Fabio Carvalho, Luton's Ryan Giles and Anass Zaroury from Burnley among those signed on loan.

The Tigers ultimately just missed out on the play-offs, finishing seventh and three points behind Norwich. They lost their final day game at Plymouth but would have missed out on goal difference even if they'd won at Home Park.

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Owner Acun Ilicali’s decision to go in a different direction appears to have been a bolt out of the blue for the Hull boss, who spoke about a long-term future following Saturday’s narrow 1-0 loss at Plymouth.

“There are tears in the dressing room from a few of the lads,” he said. “Among the disappointment and the pain, I couldn’t be prouder, not just of them but every single person connected with the football club.

“From where we’ve come from last season and what we’ve built, there’s a real bedrock, a real foundation for us to go on and achieve in the long term for this football club.”

Hull, like Sunderland, are now in the market for a new head coach.

Given Rosenior's impressive record with the Tigers, could the availability of the former defender interest the Black Cats?

Sunderland's bosses are continuing their search for a new head coach but it looks increasingly unlikely that Danny Rohl - one of those admired by the Black Cats - will be available this summer. He's said to have held positive talks with Sheffield Wednesday, who are increasingly confident they can keep the sought-after German at Hillsborough.

Will Still, Rene Maric and Paul Heckingbottom are others understood to have interested Sunderland.