Premier League: Sunderland sack manager Paolo Di Canio

Sunderland have sacked manager Paolo Di Canio as the Black Cats are bottom of the Premier League table. The Italian manager has won three of his thirteen matches in charge since being appointed in March. The start to the current season was disastrous as Sunderland managed to take just one point out of five league games. Coach Kevin Ball will take temporary charge of the team, with Roberto Di Matteo an early favourite for the job. Sunderland are now looking for their sixth permanent manager in less than five years. A club statement said: "The club would like to place on record its thanks to Paolo and his staff and wishes them well for the future." Coach Kevin Ball will prepare the side for Tuesday's Capital One Cup third-round match against Peterborough United at the Stadium of Light while the club will try to sort out a permanent replacement for Di Canio. The Black Cats started the season with a home loss to Fulham before drawing at Southampton and conceding nine goals in defeats against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and West Brom. After the 3-0 loss at The Hawthorns on Saturday, Di Canio walked over to face the Southampton supporters, who were not exactly gracious towards him. "I absorb the insults as it's part of the game - if I was in their position I'd be furious," he said. "But I'm professional: 24 hours a day I work for this cause. One day their reaction will be a different reaction. I knew that they were furious. I went to them because I wanted to see their faces. It's easy to go over when they're clapping or singing your name. I'm responsible but my head is up. I won't give up. It's obvious we're still not together. We don't have many leaders in terms of desire to play with a premier style. I'm never going to change my regime. I am what I am. My way to manage the team is for the top, top level. I have to be clear to everyone - the board, the chairman, the fans - I'm never going to change. One day, if I receive the full support from the players, we will turn the corner." You can already bet on who will be the next permanent manager at Southampton, here are the odds for the top candidates at Bet365: Roberto Di Matteo - 1/1 Tony Pulis - 9/2 Gus Poyet - 5/1 Alex McLeish - 8/1 Steve McClaren - 12/1