Sunderland have confirmed that Paolo Di Canio has been appointed as their new manager in succession to Martin O’Neill.
Northern Irishman O’Neill was sacked by the Black Cats yesterday and the club have wasted little time in appointing a replacement.
Di Canio, who started the season with League One outfit Swindon Town before parting company with the club, has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract at the Stadium of Light.
He will take charge of the club tomorrow morning.
"Paolo is hugely enthused by the challenge that lies ahead of him. He is passionate, driven and raring to get started", Sunderland chairman Ellis Short said in a statement.
"The sole focus of everyone for the next seven games will be to ensure we gain enough points to maintain our top-flight status.
"I think that the chances of that are greatly increased with Paolo joining us."
Di Canio takes over a side sitting one point and two places above the relegation zone in the Premier League.
