Preston released a statement on Thursday morning confirming that Sunderland had made an official approach to speak with Grayson after several weeks of interal issues at the North East club.
Before the end of the day Grayson had been confirmed as the new boss at Sunderland leaving Preston starting pre-season without a manager as Steve Thompson took the first day of pre-season training.
Grayson was one of the longest serving managers in the league with over four full seasons at Deepdale. He was second only to Mick McCarthy in the Championship by way of length of service.
In the eyes of the owenership and the fan base at large he had achieved his primary objctive which was to get Preston back to the Championship. He has a decent record for promoting teams from League One.
His time did at times brush with difficulties. His first full season was always playing for second place behind Wolves but his side fell well short of an impressive Brentford. Preston ended up in the play offs where they were soundly beaten by Rotherham.
Grayson improved the squad and Preston were expected to be promoted. They never caught Bristol City and fell behind MK Dons to finish in the play offs which was not anticipated given the squad he had assembled.
Redemption came in the form of Preston's first ever play off win. This was followed with a solid first season back in the Championship matched by a mid-table finish last season.
The football at times was not entertaining but effective. There was a plan A to keep things tight go one or two up and hold the game. There was no plan B should Preston go behind which refelcted in very few wins from losing position.
It would have been interesting to see how Grayson would have faired this season with the fans demanding some form of progress from two mid-table finishes.
At Blackpool the budget wasn't there but Grayson steadied them to a mid-tale finish much like at Preston. At Leeds he was probably harsly treated dismissed when in sight of the play offs. A bad run at Huddersfield meant he had no chance to impress at this level.
Grayson has never taken a side to the play-offs in the Championship but wll not have a better chance with Sunderland given the budget he will be afforded. He will have to rebuild but expectations will be high.
There are several obvious reasons for leaving and Grayson deserves a chance at a club like Sunderland. The issue again is one of ambiiton at Preston with Moyes, Davies and now Grayson all leaving to join other clubs to achieve their aims.