Grant Leadbitter insists Jack Ross was "very unfortunate" to lose his job at Sunderland.
The 35-year-old Black Cats veteran admits the reaction to the current Hibs boss' exit from the club was unlike anything he'd ever seen.
He revealed Ross was bid a personal farewell by every player and staff member at the club after he was sacked in October 2019.
The 45-year-old guided Sunderland to the League One play-off final but narrowly missed out on a return to the Championship following defeat to Charlton Athletic.
Netflix documentary Sunderland 'til I Die featured his charted reign and Leadbitter says Ross was forced to deal with a lot behind the scenes.
“Jack Ross was very unfortunate, very unfortunate,” Leadbitter told Sunderland Echo. “Behind the scenes the work he did was outstanding for the football club.
"I only worked with him for six months and I saw what he dealt with.
“My whole time in football, I’ve never seen it where every single player has gone to the manager’s office when they leave. Staff, as well.
"He had a lot of respect at the club.”
Ross has since moved to Easter Road, guiding Hibs to European qualification in the Premiership and reaching the Scottish Cup Final.
