Martin O’Neill has been relieved of his managerial duties at Sunderland following the club's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday.

The result was a final nail in the coffin with the Black Cats having failed to win a single came in their last eight attempts.

Titus Bramble’s own goal was all that separated the teams at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland hover just a single point above the drop zone.

O'Neill took over at the Stadium of Light in December 2011 and invested heavily in the likes of Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher before the current campaign.

He has been dismissed with immediate effect and a replacement is due to be confirmed in the coming days according to a statement on the club's official website read.

"The club has parted company with manager Martin O'Neill," read the statement. "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."