Simon Grayson’s tenure at Sunderland is in doubt, with recent criticism of fans leaving the club’s hierarchy seething.

Sunderland’s start to the new season has been poor – they currently sit second from bottom of the Championship with just one win to their name.

Whilst Sunderland were not expected to challenge for the Championship crown, it was anticipated that summer recruit Grayson – who succeeded David Moyes in the Stadium of Light hot-seat would push for the play-offs.

But as it stands the former Preston man is failing to deliver, but extra pressure is now on him after criticism of the fans last week – but he has insisted it was a misunderstanding.

“I want to have an affiliation with these supporters,” he said.

“I don’t criticise them for any criticism they want to give the players, some of it the players deserve.

“I was more meaning people outside the club thinking players don’t care, because of what they read or hear.”

However, it is understood that Sunderland’s chiefs including owner Ellis Short and chief executive Martin Bain were left furious with Grayson’s comments.

Coupled with their shocking form, it is understood he under genuine pressure to keep his job.

Bookmakers firmly believe Grayson could be the next Championship manager out – he is odds-on.

We spoke with PaddyPower about the market on Grayson.

“Simon Grayson’s chances of keeping his job are receding faster than, erm, his team’s chances of staying up,” PaddyPower spokesman Lee Price told TheGamblingTimes.com.

“We’re now odds-on that he’s the next Championship boss to get the boot, at 8/11.”