Gus Poyet sacked as Sunderland manager after 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa

It's hard to feign anything resembling surprise at the news that Sunderland are looking for a new manager after sacking Gus Poyet this afternoon.

The decision comes after the Uruguayan failed to secure a win for the Black Cats in their last seven games which has left the club just one point above the relegation zone. Poyet's time with Sunderland started the same way that it finished, with a 4-0 defeat, the first coming to Swansea in October 2013 and the latest coming on Saturday at the hands of fellow strugglers Aston Villa.

#SAFC have parted company with head coach Gus Poyet. Full statement here: http://t.co/Jqry0l4NYA pic.twitter.com/qrZ9CXTUuy — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) March 16, 2015

Poyet received the news at a board meeting after he took team training this morning as per usual. Dick Advocaat is currently the 11/10 favourite to take over at the Stadium of Light with Ireland boss Martin O'Neill the 33/1 outsider to return to his former job.