Sunderland Sack Martin O'Neill

Sunderland have confirmed the sacking of manager Martin O'Neill in a statement on the official website.

The club has parted company with manager Martin O'Neill.

Sunderland AFC has announced that it has parted company with manager Martin O’Neill this evening.

The club would like to place on record its thanks to Martin and wishes him well for the future.

An announcement will be made in the coming days regarding a successor.

The statement was short and sweet, which could be telling, as it certainly seems to have come out of the blue.

Like most, a hushed silence has fallen over Roker Report Towers as we try and process the information, and we are still not too sure about what to make of it.

The form has been poor and you just wonder if the sacking was more of a result of the late Wigan winner against Norwich than Sunderland's own defeat to Manchester United given that it evaporated just about all of the breathing room between us and the bottom.

Perhaps what we are also seeing is Ellis Short's patience just starting to wear thin. After all, he has put millions into the club and is seeing little tangible progress.

In terms of replacements, it would appear there is plenty going on but your guess is as good as ours right now.

It certainly looks like a high risk play by the club. Fingers crossed they know what they are doing.