Sunderland appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager on a two-year contract on this day in 2015.
Allardyce succeeded Dick Advocaat, who had left his post with the Black Cats in the Premier League relegation zone.
Allardyce, who was a defender for Sunderland between 1980 and 1981, became the first person to manage both the Black Cats and their arch rivals Newcastle, the only team below them in the table.
Sunderland chairman Ellis Short said: “Sunderland is a club he knows well and he was the obvious best choice for the job.
“He has vast experience of managing in the Premier League and an understanding first hand of the north east and the passion of our fans, which will stand him in great stead.”
Allardyce had lasted only eight months in ch…