A look back at how Sunderland have progressed based on where they have sat on Christmas Day for the past five seasons.
Christmas Day is often seen as the halfway point in the English footballing calendar. By the time the festive celebration hits, the majority of sides will have played each other at least once which gives a good indication of where they are set to finish.
While Regis Le Bris has gotten Sunderland off to a flying start in the Championship this season, this has not always been the case in the past.
The Stadium of Light faithful have endured many unmemorable and disappointing campaigns in recent years as the club struggled to get out of League One.
However, they have also enjoyed seasons that have resulted in success and have helped the club shoot up the divisions.
As a result, Sunderland AFC News has highlighted where the Black Cats have sat on Christmas Day for the past five seasons.
2019 – 13th in League One
Sunderland’s second season in League One was far from memorable. After losing in the play-off final to Charlton Athletic in the season prior, there was an expectation that Jack Ross’ side could kick on and earn promotion in the following campaign.
However, it went quite the opposite. Ross was sacked in October 2019 after a poor start to the season.
Phil Parkinson was then brought into the club but their form showed little signs of improvement before Christmas.
A 1-1 draw vs Coventry on December 23rd left the Black Cats in the bottom half of League One with just seven wins from 19 matches.
Sat on 27 points, the club were six points off sixth with a game in hand but they would never reach this goal as they finished the season in eighth.
2020 – 11th in League One
After a disappointing 2019/20 campaign, little improved under Parkinson the following year.
Another poor start to the season saw the manager sacked at the end of November and he was quickly replaced by Lee Johnson.
The new head coach had an uninspiring first few games in charge which left the Black Cats in 11th place on Christmas Day.
Sunderland had just seven wins from 17 matches and sat on 28 points. The club were just five points off sixth with a game in hand.
By the end of the season, the club did manage to achieve play-offs but were knocked out by Lincoln City in the semi-finals.
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2021 – 3rd in League One
After three heart-breaking campaigns in League One, Sunderland finally got their act together in the 2021/22 campaign.
Johnson’s excellent winning run at the start of the season had propelled the club up to promotion candidates and they were knocking on the door of the top two.
A 1-1 draw away to Ipswich Town on December 18th left the club in third with 13 victories in 23 matches.
With 43 points, Sunderland were four points from top of the table. However, they would never reach this goal.
A terrible January would see Johnson sacked and Alex Neil appointed. Here, the manager would guide the club to the play-offs and eventually oversee promotion with a 2-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers.
2022 – 13th in the Championship
After finally getting out of League One, Sunderland were off to a flying start in the second tier.
Neil would depart the club in August 2022 for Stoke City and Tony Mowbray was brought in.
Here, the manager continued the Black Cats’ solid start to the season and had them 13th on Christmas Day.
A 1-1 draw vs Hull City ensured the club had 31 points on December 25 with eight wins from 23 matches.
The club were three points off the top six, a goal they would reach by the campaign’s end before Luton Town knocked them out in the semi-finals.
2023 – 9th in the Championship
Sunderland’s second season back in the Championship was far less memorable. After an indifferent start to the campaign, Mowbray was sacked with Michael Beale appointed as his replacement in mid-December.
In his first game, he suffered a 3-0 defeat to Coventry on December 23rd which left the club in ninth place on Christmas Day with 33 points and 10 wins from 23 games.
However, there was hope that the club could still reach the playoffs as they were only three points off top six.
Yet, Beale failed to turn around the club’s dipping form and he was sacked in February 2024.
Mike Dodds proceeded to take over until the end of the campaign as the Black Cats finished the season in 16th.