SUNDERLAND, England (AP) — Sunderland’s Steve Bruce became the first Premier League manager fired this season after the club dropped to 16th place with just one win in its last eight matches.
Bruce offseason acquisitions included Manchester United’s John O’Shea and Wes Brown, but Sunderland (2-6-5) is just two points above the relegation zone after losing to last-place Wigan last weekend.
Sunderland chairman Ellis Short says “results this season have simply not been good enough, and I feel the time is right to make a change.”
Assistant manager Eric Black will take charge of the team until Sunderland finds a permanent replacement.
