Sunderland's temporary manager Kevin Ball will be at the helm for at least the next two games, Sky Sports sources understand.
Brave
Former Sunderland chairman
Niall Quinn believes Di Canio's feisty management style may have cost him his job.
Quinn has described the decision as "brave" and told Sky Sports News: "It's a quick decision - some will say too quick.
"They're making a quick decision on this again and looking back, the support Paolo Di Canio got in the summer with the players he brought in, I honestly thought he was going to get longer, no matter the start.
"If we start to peel the layers off in the coming days and find out what life was like under him from various players, you'll probably see a story that says this was a guy who did things in a totally unique way and by the looks of things, the players weren't buying into it.
"They've made a very brave decision to appoint him, they got what they wanted out of him, and now they've made a brave decision (for him) to go.
"It wouldn't have been my style. I think I would probably have tried to give people as much time as possible.
"Something tells me there's a little more to it as well.
"It was perhaps they felt that the players were finding it hard to conform to his unique style. I think that might have played a part in it as well.
"They've made such a brave decision now. Will it pay off for them?"
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has questioned the dismissal of Di Canio and is especially surprised that it has happened so quickly after a busy summer of transfer activity.
"From the point of view of Sunderland, it looks like they've been pretty quick at pulling the trigger recently," said Allardyce.
"I find it quite difficult to see where the logic lies in it, particularly when there has been a full clear-out.
"To go through that process again is going to be a huge task for whoever is the next man in charge."
The
club confirmed on Sunday evening that they had "parted company" with Di Canio but it is understood that Saturday's 3-0 loss, which saw the Italian face up to angry fans at the whistle, and a subsequent meeting forced Stadium of Light chiefs to act.
A statement on the club's official website read: "Sunderland AFC confirms that it has parted company with head coach Paolo Di Canio this evening.
"Kevin Ball will take charge of the squad ahead of Tuesday night's Capital One Cup game against Peterborough United and an announcement will be made in due course regarding a permanent successor.
"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Paolo and his staff and wishes them well for the future."
