Sunderland’s 10-year stay in the Premier League is over after Josh King’s late strike gave Bournemouth a 1-0 victory that condemned the Black Cats to relegation on Saturday.
David Moyes’ side slumped out of the English top-flight with a whimper as the latest dismal display in a wretched campaign ended with King’s winner in the 88th minute.
Moyes briefly thought there might be a reprieve when their relegation rivals Hull conceded a late penalty at Southampton, but Dusan Tadic’s spot-kick was saved by Eldin Jakupovic to give the Tigers a 0-0 draw that ended Sunderland’s survival hopes.
In the bottom three since September 10, bottom of the table Sunderland have gone 10 games without a win and are doomed with four games still to play.
Sunderland’s relegation caps another miserable season for Moyes, who has endured a torrid time since leaving Everton to take charge at Manchester United in 2013.
Sacked by United after less than a year and dismissed by Real Sociedad following a disappointing spell in Spain, Moyes has been unable to rehabilitate his reputation at Sunderland.
Moyes found his hands tied by a lack of financial backing from Sunderland owner Ellis Short during the January transfer window, leaving the Scot to publicly vent his frustrations.
Criticised by fans for his negative tactics and charged by the Football Association following his crude comments to a television reporter, it would be no surprise if Moyes parts company with Sunderland during the close-season.
With injuries ravaging his squad, Moyes had to make four changes to the team that lost at Middlesbrough on Wednesday as Sunderland chased a first home league win since December 17.
Moyes unsure about future
Moyes, however, would not confirm whether he will remain Sunderland’s manager next season.
“To think about it and talk about it now is just too quick,” Moyes said when asked about his future by a television reporter at the Stadium of Light.
“They’re questions for a week or two down the line. I’m not sure it’s for now. I’d like to make sure we get Sunderland back in the Premier League.”
Moyes, sacked by Manchester United after just 10 months in charge in April 2014, was appointed Sunderland manager last July.
He inherited a team who had narrowly avoided relegation under Sam Allardyce and quickly found himself facing an uphill battle.
Sunderland have been in the bottom three since September and have propped up the table since January.
“I’m really disappointed,” Moyes added. “I feel for the supporters. They put their heart and cash into the team and my thoughts are mainly with the supporters.
“It’s a collective thing from top to bottom –- it’s wrong to blame any individual. Clubs are much stronger than any one individual.”
Results
- Southampton 0 drew with Hull City 0.
- Stoke City 0 drew with West Ham 0.
- Sunderland 0 lost to Bournemouth 1 (Joshua King 88).
- West Brom 0 lost to Leicester City 1 (Jamie Vardy 43).
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