Sunderland sack manager Martin O'Neill

[zee24]

Relegation-threatened Sunderland have announced they have sacked manager Martin O'Neill.

After a 1-0 defeat by Manchester United on Saturday, the Black Cats sit one point above the Premier League relegation zone with seven games left.

Sunderland are without a victory in eight matches and have won only three points out of 24 during that spell.
A successor to the 61-year-old, who joined the club in 2011, "will be made in the coming days" the club added.

The Northern Irishman took over from Steve Bruce, leading Sunderland to seven wins in his first 10 fixtures to ease any relegation fears on their way to a 13th-placed finish in 2011-12.

O'Neill looked to build on that debut campaign last summer by signing England winger Adam Johnson andScotland striker Steven Fletcher.

Results did not follow, however, and the club has sunk down to 16th place in the table following the loss to the league leaders.

Speaking after the game, O'Neill had remained optimistic of securing Sunderland's safety.

"I am as buoyant now as - I was nearly going to say as I have always been," he said.

"What is it - the half-full or the half-empty glass? I'm even going to the three-quarters full.

"There's a real determination in the dressing room. The players are obviously disappointed, but they can take a lot from the second half."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21985808

[leotheloin]

Relegation-threatened Sunderland have announced they have sacked manager Martin O'Neill.

After a 1-0 defeat by Manchester United on Saturday, the Black Cats sit one point above the Premier League relegation zone with seven games left.

Sunderland are without a victory in eight matches and have won only three points out of 24 during that spell.
A successor to the 61-year-old, who joined the club in 2011, "will be made in the coming days" the club added.

The Northern Irishman took over from Steve Bruce, leading Sunderland to seven wins in his first 10 fixtures to ease any relegation fears on their way to a 13th-placed finish in 2011-12.

O'Neill looked to build on that debut campaign last summer by signing England winger Adam Johnson and Scotland striker Steven Fletcher.

Results did not follow, however, and the club has sunk down to 16th place in the table following the loss to the league leaders.

Speaking after the game, O'Neill had remained optimistic of securing Sunderland's safety.

"I am as buoyant now as - I was nearly going to say as I have always been," he said.

"What is it - the half-full or the half-empty glass? I'm even going to the three-quarters full.

"There's a real determination in the dressing room. The players are obviously disappointed, but they can take a lot from the second half."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21985808

Watched the game zee and s/land they were dire in the f/h a bit better in the s/h,, it was a walk in the park for united they just didn't give united any game. Think it's a bit harsh sacking there manager with 8games to play they will have to wait till monday to see if J.C. wants to become there manager.

[Shady]

wasnt a bit harsh, hes not only under achieved, but hes done so playing some of the dullest blandest football ive ever seen, and i watched birmingham under mcleish.. Hes turned sunderland into a team that i regularly forget even exists

[leotheloin]

wasn't a bit harsh, hes not only under achieved, but hes done so playing some of the dullest blandest football Ive ever seen, and i watched birmingham under mcleish.. Hes turned sunderland into a team that i regularly forget even exists

Tell us how many managers have over achieved,, birmingham won the mickey mouse cup a few year back what have they done since get relegated,, 3
managers get the sack few months back and look where the clubs are still on the first floor. The new guy there bringing in what has he achieved nothing.24 points still to be played for,, yes i do agree there playing sh..e football but who's not it was a walk for us but still we only came away with a one goal win and we are running away with league

[gc1966]

is di canio the man to drag them out,i very much doubt it but something needed to be done if sunderland are to remain in the top flight.

[Kalipo]

Di canio at sunderland has to be one of the classic april fools ..

Still, nice to see sunderland fans embracing fascism

[Wolfpack]

They are going down. Isn't the new coach a friend of Kalipo avatar?

[kingy555]

Well it looks like Paulo has got them going a bit. I cant see them going down now.

[zee24]

and Newcastle have changed their crest after the defeat

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