After the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa guarantees Sunderland will finish the season with the lowest ever number of points McCarthy has promised major changes and he expects from the players who stay to be bidding for an immediate return to the Premiership.
"I'm excited by next season," said McCarthy.
"Whoever comes and whoever ends up staying I expect them back in Sunderland on 2nd July raring to go and with the target of winning the championship.
"We have to set out with that target. I'm not saying we're going to win it, but that has to be our goal. Beyond that, the second promotion place.
"The club should be in the Premier League, but it doesn't always work like that. It is the team that gets there and stays there."
ASTON VILLA MATCH REPORT