It's Ciao to Di Canio

Getty Images

Sunderland have sacked head coach Paolo Di Canio after Saturday's 3-0 defeat at West Brom left them bottom of the Premier League.

The 45-year-old Italian has won two of his 13 matches since being appointed in March and the Black Cats have one point from five games this season.

"An announcement will be made in due course regarding a permanent successor," read a club statement.

In the meantime, coach Kevin Ball will take charge of the first-team squad.

The statement added: "The club would like to place on record its thanks to Paolo and his staff and wishes them well for the future."

Ball's opening duty is to prepare the side for Tuesday's Capital One Cup third-round match against Peterborough United at the Stadium of Light.

Related articles

• Sunderland 'has parted company' with Paolo Di Canio
• Di Canio faces up to Sunderland fans
• Players Must Give Me "Full Support" Insists Sunderland Boss Paolo Di Canio
• Di Canio: Sunderland still need time to gel
• Paolo Di Canio sacked by Sunderland just five weeks into the season
• Sunderland Manager Paolo Di Canio Confronts Fans in Bizarre Display Following Loss

Black Cats Dismiss O'Neill Rumours

Getty Images

Sunderland club sources have told Sky Sports that Martin O'Neill has 'unequivocally not resigned' and is not leaving the Stadium of Light.

Reports had claimed that O'Neill had offered to quit his post as Sunderland boss following Saturday's 4-2 home defeat by high-flying West Bromwich Albion.

However, the Black Cats have dismissed the speculation and have confirmed that the Northern Irishman remains in charge on Wearside.

O'Neill is approaching his first anniversary as Black Cats boss after signing a three-year contract to replace Steve Bruce at the helm last December.

He enjoyed an immediate impact in guiding Sunderland away from the relegation zone, but has seen his team win just two of their last 20 Premier League games.

The Black Cats were also knocked out of the Capital One Cup at home by local rivals Middlesbrough last month and have won just once in the league in front of their own supporters this season.

Speaking after the loss against West Brom, which saw Sunderland score twice in a game at home for the first time in the Premier League this term, O'Neill was staying upbeat.

He said: "I think there's a lot to take out of the match, a lot to take out of it.

"We have been beaten, but we look as if we can maybe get a goal again now, which is very encouraging.

"We have a big game on Tuesday night against QPR and we will try to get ourselves prepared for that."