Gus Poyet has broken his silence over being sacked by Sunderland this week.

The 47-year-old Uruguayan was sacked on Monday in the wake of an horrendous 4-0 home defeat by Aston Villa which left the club perched just a point above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

He said in a statement released on his behalf by the League Managers' Association: "Certainly I am very disappointed to have left Sunderland, but I am extremely honoured to have served this special club as their manager.

"When I arrived in October 2013, Sunderland had played seven matches and lost six, gaining only one point, and they were bottom of the Barclays Premier League.

"Thirty-one matches later at the end of the season, we had won 10 and drawn eight, taking us to the complete safety of 14th position.

'I will always remember fondly that miracle unbeaten run, a vein of form for which I was honoured to be short-listed for the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Year Award.

"I leave Sunderland feeling proud of all of our achievements during my tenure, not least reaching the club's first cup final in 22 years, when we took more than 30,000 fans to the Capital One Cup Final at Wembley.

"Of the three Tyne-Wear derby matches since I joined the club as manager, I am very proud that we were able to win all three, two of which were away from home."