These are the top 3 Sunderland challenges on Football Manager 2017

Show top-flight ambition

Ever since Sunderland were promoted back to the Premier League in 2007, they have managed just one top-half finish.

Other than that, it has been relegation battles, with the Black Cats doing just enough to stay up every time. It strikes a similarity with Aston Villa’s plight; another team who also struggled year on year, and eventually it just caught up with them.

The same could be said of Sunderland this season, but under your stewardship, you are going to take the Black Cats to the next level.

In four seasons in charge, you will record at least three top-half finishes with Sunderland, and prove that they are more than just a relegation-threatened side.