Report: Sunderland's Lee Congerton on gardening leave; no transfer involvement

Sporting director Lee Congerton has been placed on gardening leave at Sunderland and will play no part in the club's dealings over the January transfer window, according to the Guardian's Louise Taylor.

Congerton tendered his resignation when Dick Advocaat left the Stadium of Light in October, but chairman Ellis Short initially said he required a 12-month notice period for him to leave. Now, despite Congerton's cordial relationship with manager Sam Allardyce, the changes in the playing staff will be predominantly overseen by the latter.

Short experimented with the more continental approach of having a director in charge of transfers and other aspects of the club, but Congerton's ill-fated tenure follows that of his predecessor, Roberto De Fanti, who lasted just six months in the role.

Allardyce has been working hard scouting and meeting with contemporaries across Europe in a bid to identify footballers that could improve his struggling squad. Chief executive Margaret Byrne and club secretary Ryan Sachs will then preside over contract negotiations with the chosen targets.

Sunderland is back in Premier League action on Boxing Day, when it faces a tough trip to title-chasing Manchester City.