Gus Poyet has been sacked as Sunderland manager - following the club's 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Uruguayan took training this morning, but was summoned to a meeting with the club's hierarchy following the conclusion of the workout, where he learned his fate.

Black Cats chairman Ellis Short decided a change was needed during the thrashing by Villa, after holding talks with chief executive Margaret Byrne and sporting director Lee Congerton.

Around half of the 45,000+ crowd vacated the ground before half time, with some remonstrating with Poyet near the dugouts before leaving.

He said he would not resign, but has had the decision made for him with the club sitting just a point above the relegation places.

The former Chelsea midfielder took over from Paolo Di Canio 17 months ago, and the Italian has sympathy for his successor - instead pointing the finger at Short.

Di Canio said: "The team is in disarray - and it is not the fault of the fans, who are fantastic. There are always 45,000 for every game.

"I do not speak of those on the bench (Poyet) because the problems are born from above. From Ellis Short.

"The indecency is now before the eyes of everyone - and the fans are not happy. But the choices are from above."