Premier League club Sunderland fired head coach Paolo Di Canio on Sunday after a string of poor results culminating in a 3-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion.

"Sunderland AFC confirms that it has parted company with head coach Paolo Di Canio this evening," a statement on the club website (www.safc.com) said. "An announcement will be made in due course regarding a permanent successor."

The Italian leaves Sunderland at the bottom of the Premier League with one point from five matches. He has won only three of his 13 matches since being appointed last March.