SUNDERLAND (UNITED KINGDOM) - Sunderland sacked their manager Gus Poyet on Monday, less than 48 hours after a humbling home loss to fellow Premier League strugglers Aston Villa.
Sunderland's Uruguayan manager Gus Poyet reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James's Park in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on December 21, 2014
The Uruguayan paid the price for a poor run of results that has left the Black Cats fourth from bottom after Saturday's 4-0 rout, the club's sixth game without a win.
In a statement Sunderland, one point above the relegation zone, announced: "Sunderland AFC have parted company with head coach Gus Poyet this afternoon."