Who next for Sunderland after David Moyes walks away?

Former Everton and Manchester United chief Moyes resigned around 24 hours after the Black Cats’ dismal Premier League campaign came to a conclusion.

Moyes’s side finished bottom of the table and 16 points adrift of safety having won just six of their 38 games.

He is the sixth full-time manager to leave the Stadium of Light in just over four years.

Having established his reputation during an impressively long 11-year spell in charge of Everton, it is the fourth job the Scot has left since 2013.

The Scot, 54, made the decision to leave following a meeting with chairman Ellis Short and chief executive Martin Bain and opted to do so without a pay-off.

A statement from Short read: “I pursued the services of David Moyes for a considerable period prior to his appointment last summer, which makes the announcement of his departure difficult for everyone concerned.

“Having worked tirelessly throughout the campaign to avoid relegation from the Premier League, David has chosen to leave the club without compensation, which is testament to his character.

“In the days ahead we will take some time for reflection, and then focus on recruitment and pre-season as we prepare for our Championship campaign. We wish David well in the future.”

Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips is the early favourite with bookmakers, ahead of the likes of former Black Cats manager Roy Keane, his old Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs and Nigel Pearson, who last managed at Derby.

Moyes was appointed only last summer and hoped to revive his career after failed stints at United and Real Sociedad.

He was tasked with succeeding Sam Allardyce and building on last season’s escape from relegation but the team regressed badly. Their demotion from the top flight was confirmed with defeat against Bournemouth last month, five games from the end of the campaign.

There was also controversy during his tenure and he was charged by the Football Association after telling BBC reporter Vicki Sparks that she might “get a slap” over her line of questioning during an interview.

It now remains to be seen whether Moyes still has the appetite for management after his recent setbacks. He attended the League Managers Association awards event on Monday evening but did not speak to reporters.

His only comments came in a statement from Sunderland.

He said: “I would like to thank Ellis Short and the board for giving me the opportunity to manage Sunderland and the fans for always being so passionately supportive of their club.

“I wish the players and my successor well in their efforts towards promotion back to the Premier League.”

Moyes could be followed out of the club by striker Jermain Defoe, with reports claiming the England international is in talks with Bournemouth.