Sunderland have made a number of staff redundant — sparking fears they are already preparing for relegation with the season less than three months old.
Sportsmail understands the workers, based on the administration side at the Stadium of Light, have been given their marching orders.
While there is no official confirmation that cost-cutting measures have begun due to the club accepting they will drop out of the Premier League, staff fear that is the case.
Following Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat by Arsenal, Sunderland, who were booed off at full-time, remain bottom of the table with just two points.