Birmingham City boss Tony Mowbray says he respects Sunderland's decision to sack him as he prepares to face the club for the first time on Saturday.
Mowbray, 60, left the Stadium of Light after 15 months in December, having won just two of his last nine games, and was replaced by Michael Beale.
Despite a backlash from supporters after his exit, Mowbray said he holds no grudges against his former club.
"For whatever reason, the club wanted to change. I accepted it," he said.
"The ownership model is what it is. They wanted to make brave decisions.