Paolo Di Canio sacked by Sunderland

Paolo Di Canio has been sacked as manager of Sunderland after just five games into the new Premier League campaign. 

Di Canio who took over from Martin O'Neill in March this year, has been relieved out of his duties as head coach following a poor start to the new season, in which the Black Cats have earned just a solitary point in their opening five games. 

Reports suggested yesterday that the Italian was to be given an additional two games to prove his managerial skills, but the 3-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion was enough to end his reign as manager of the Black Cats. 

The club released a statement yesterday revealing that they have parted company with the 45-year-old, and named Kevin Ball as his successor on a temporary basis.

The statement on the club's official site read : "Sunderland AFC confirms that it has parted company with head coach Paolo Di Canio this evening.


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

Di Canio had just won three of his 13 matches in charge of Sunderland.