David Moyes says rumours he is facing the sack at Sunderland are to be expected
Friday 4 November 2016 11:50, UK
David Moyes admits Sunderland’s poor form means he can have no complaints about rumours he could be sacked as manager.
The Black Cats are bottom of the Premier League table with just two points from 10 games after a run of four straight defeats.
Moyes has presided over the worst ever start to a season in the Premier League era and it was claimed earlier this week by some national newspapers that he will lose his job if Sunderland are beaten by Bournemouth on Saturday.
When asked about the rumours, Moyes said: "I think when you're at the bottom and you're losing its going to happen. That's the world of football management, you expect that.
"You would expect it, because we're not winning enough games."
If Moyes was to be sacked by Sunderland it would be the third consecutive club he has left after less than a year in charge, following difficult spells at Real Sociedad and Manchester United.
His fortunes since taking over at United in July 2013 have contrasted sharply to the success he enjoyed earlier in his managerial career at Everton and Preston North End, when he was widely viewed as one of Britain's brightest young managers.
The 53-year-old admits the last few years have been difficult but says ups and downs are part and parcel of being a football manager, and he remains confident he can turn Sunderland's season around if given the time.
Moyes said: "I've had some great times in football and I'm looking forward to some of the next great times that are coming. But I think when you're in this as a football manager you're always going to have bad times, so if you think you come into football management and it's all good, that's far from it.
"These are testing times, you have to try and keep doing the right things and keep the players believing and we're trying to do that."
Moyes added: "As we said right at the start it's not short-term that's for sure."
Captain John O'Shea will miss the game with the hamstring injury that forced him off during Sunderland's 4-1 defeat to Arsenal last weekend, meaning Papy Djilobodji is likely to partner Lamine Kone at the heart of the defence.
