DAVID MOYES RESIGNED as Sunderland manager on Monday morning, bringing an end to a disastrous 10 months at the Stadium of Light which saw him preside over just six league wins and relegation to the Championship.
Moyes met with club chairman Ellis Short and chief executive Martin Bain in London where he informed them that he would be stepping down without conversation.
The Black Cats finished bottom of the Premier League on just 24 points, 16 adrift of safety, and were relegated after 10 consecutive season in English football’s top flight.
“I would like to thank Ellis Short and the Board for giving me the opportunity to manage Sunderland and the fans for always being so passionately supportive of their club,” Moyes said in a short statement.
“I wish the players and my successor well in their efforts towards promotion back to the Premier League.”
The former Everton and Manchester United boss was handpicked last July after Sam Allardyce left on the eve of the new season for what was ultimately a short-lived stint as England manager.
But far from it being a panic appointment, Short insisted that Moyes had been the first name on his shortlist since Martin O’Neill’s departure in 2013.
Dismal results on the pitch aside, Moyes’ time in charge made headlines for the wrong reasons. In April, Sunderland publicly condemned his behaviour as “wholly unacceptable” after video footage emerged of him threatening to slap a female journalist from the BBC.
“I pursued the services of David Moyes for a considerable period prior to his appointment last summer, which makes the announcement of his departure difficult for everyone concerned,” Short said.
“Having worked tirelessly throughout the campaign to avoid relegation from the Premier League, David has chosen to leave the club without compensation, which is testament to his character.
“In the days ahead we will take some time for reflection, and then focus on recruitment and pre-season as we prepare for our Championship campaign. We wish David well in the future.”
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