Gus Poyet has admitted that he is "very disappointed" to have lost his job at Sunderland, but is "proud" of his one-and-a-half-year spell at the Stadium of Light.
The Uruguayan was sacked by the Premier League outfit on Monday following the Black Cats' 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend.
"Certainly I am very disappointed to have left Sunderland but I am extremely honoured to have served this special club as their manager," Poyet said in a statement released by the League Managers' Association.
"When I arrived in October 2013, Sunderland had played 7 matches and lost 6, gaining only 1 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 shortlisted 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.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank chairman Ellis Short for giving me my first opportunity to manage in the Barclays Premier League, without a doubt the greatest league in the world. I also thank my staff for their valuable assistance, the players for all their efforts and, in particular, the fans who demonstrate such unbelievable passion for the club. I sincerely wish everyone connected with Sunderland the very best for the remainder of the season and beyond."
Following Poyet's dismissal, Dutchman Dick Advocaat was swiftly appointed as head coach until the end of the season.
Danielle Joynson
