Martin O'Neill

      

   He led his side to victory in seven of his opening 10 fixtures in charge, guiding the Black Cats to a 13th-placed finish in 2012.Coming into the football club at the time when the club was on its knees, and I believe I saved the club from relegation last year, I felt the opportunity [to stay at the club] should have still been afforded to me.But following their 1-0 defeat by Manchester United on 30 March 2013, Sunderland fell to 16th place, just one point from the relegation zone after injuries to key players Scotland striker Steven Fletcher and captain Lee Cattermole.O'Neill's sacking made him the fifth top-flight manager to lose his job during the current campaign, after Chelsea's Roberto Di Matteo, Mark Hughes from QPR, Nigel Adkins from Southampton and Brian McDermott from Reading. Within six hours of the final whistle O'Neill was shown the exit door.Despite not having any top-flight managerial experience, former West Ham striker Di Canio was appointed as O'Neill's successor at Sunderland. His reign began in controversial circumstances after the 44-year-old's political views came under scrutiny from fans, politicians and media. I'm in the business now where I think very little shocks you about professional football, particularly in the last 10 years," said the 61-year-old.