TONY MOWBRAY is reportedly fighting to save his Sunderland job.
The Black Cats – who were bidding for back-to-back promotions – crashed out of the Championship play-offs on Tuesday night.
Mowbray led his side to sixth place in the table on the final day, setting up a semi-final tie against Luton.
Sunderland stunned the visitors with a 2-1 win in the first leg at the Stadium of Light.
But the Black Cats crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Kenilworth Road last night, exiting the playoffs 3-2 on aggregate.
And talkSPORT claims Sunderland chiefs are now preparing to wield the axe after missing out on a place at Wembley against either Middlesbrough or Coventry.
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Just 12 hours after their play-offs exit, Sunderland already have three names lined up to replace Mowbray – who is out of contract next month.
RB Salzburg's Matthias Jaissle leads the way to take charge at the Stadium of Light.
Joining him on the shortlist are former Alanyaspor boss Francesco Farioli.
And the third man is ex-Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber, who left MLS side New York Red Bull earlier this month.
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Mowbray – who joined in the summer after Alex Neil led Sunderland to promotion from League One – admitted after last night's result that he was unsure of his future in the north east.
The former West Brom and Blackburn boss said: “I’ve enjoyed it, but who knows what my future holds. Let’s wait and see.
"Do I want to be here next season? I do, yes. But let’s wait and see how it goes, and what the summer brings.
“I don’t know what will happen next. I’ll just get on with it. I’ve got a contract so I’ll just keep going. I only mention that off the speculation off recent weeks. Let’s wait and see.
“Do I feel insecure? Not at all. Modern-day football clubs can do what they want. I’m pretty relaxed.
"I feel like I’ve come in here and managed to work with these young players, create a team environment that has done alright despite huge losses of some very important footballers.”
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