We had to axe Paolo before it was too late... Sunderland chief defends sacking and insists decision was based purely on results

Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne has defended the decision to sack Paolo Di Canio and said it had to be done because 'it wasn't working' and there was a danger of the club being cut adrift at the bottom of the league.

In her programme notes tonight Byrne said the decision was made after the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat at West Brom.

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Bust up: Di Canio faced a mutiny from a number of senior players In the middle: Byrne insists the sacking was purely based on results