Sam Allardyce: 'Sunderland wrong to sack Paolo Di Canio'

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has claimed that Sunderland were wrong to sack Paolo Di Canio so early in the season.

The Italian was dismissed by the Black Cats on Sunday night after just over five months in charge.

"If it doesn't go well, they seem to be making a knee-jerk decision to change the manager," BBC Sport quotes Allardyce as saying. "They've been pretty quick at pulling the trigger recently, in the last three managers.

"I find it very difficult to see where the logic lies in it, particularly when there has been a full clear-out [of backroom staff]."

Former West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has emerged as the early favourite to replace Di Canio at the Stadium of Light.