By Ayomide Tayo
Sunderland reacted to the impending prospect of relegation from the English Premier League by sacking manager Martin O’Neill on Saturday; hours after a 1-0 loss to Manchester United left the club just a point clear of the bottom three.
The optimism from the early part of O’Neill’s 15-month reign has disappeared with Sunderland currently on a winless run of eight games, culminating in a limp performance against United at the Stadium of Light.
The club said an announcement will be made in the coming days regarding a successor
Former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo, ex-Queens Park Rangers boss Mark Hughes and Steve McClaren, who used to be in charge of England, are being widely touted in the British media as potential replacements for O’Neill.
Sunderland have seven games left in this campaign, with their next three matches against European champions Chelsea, local rivals Newcastle and Champions League-chasing Everton. Both Aston Villa and Wigan have shown improved form in recent weeks and are only a point behind with a game in hand.
