Gus Poyet has spoken of his pride at what he achieved at Sunderland four days after being relieved of his duties as head coach . The 47-year-old Uruguayan was sacked on Monday in the wake of an horrendous 4-0 home defeat by Aston Villa which left the club perched just a point above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone . But on the day his successor Dick Advocaat met the media for the first time , Poyet insisted he left the Stadium of Light after 18 months at the helm with his head held high . Gus Poyet said he was 'very disappointed ' after being replaced by Sunderland following recent bad results . The north east club decided to sack Poyet after a 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa saw them battling relegation . He said in a statement released on his behalf by the League Managers ' Association : 'Certainly I am very disappointed to have left Sunderland , but I am extremely honoured to have served this special club as their manager . 'When I arrived in October 2013 , Sunderland had played seven matches and lost six , gaining only one point , and they were bottom of the Barclays Premier League . 'Thirty-one matches later at the end of the season , we had won 10 and drawn eight , taking us to the complete safety of 14th position . ' I will always remember fondly that miracle unbeaten run , a vein of form for which I was honoured to be short-listed for the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Year Award . Veteran Dutch manager Dick Advocaat has replaced Poyet at the Stadium of Light for the rest of the season . Poyet emphasised his pride at winning all three of his Tyne-Wear derbies in his 18 months in charge . ' I leave Sunderland feeling proud of all of our achievements during my tenure , not least reaching the club 's first cup final in 22 years , when we took more than 30,000 fans to the Capital One Cup Final at Wembley . 'Of the three Tyne-Wear derby matches since I joined the club as manager , I am very proud that we were able to win all three , two of which were away from home . ' Poyet was appointed in an attempt to bring stability to the club after Paolo di Canio 's brief , but tempestuous reign , and while he was disappointed to lose his job , he thanked chairman Ellis Short for giving him his chance in the top flight . Poyet pointed to his side 's 'miracle run ' last season , where they beat Chelsea and Manchester United away . He said : ' I would like to take this opportunity to thank chairman Ellis Short for giving me my first opportunity to manage in the Barclays Premier League , without a doubt the greatest league in the world . ' I also thank my staff for their valuable assistance , the players for all their efforts and , in particular , the fans , who demonstrate such unbelievable passion for the club . ' I sincerely wish everyone connected with Sunderland the very best for the remainder of the season and beyond . '
Gus Poyet was sacked by Sunderland and replaced by Dick Advocaat . Poyet took over the club in October 2013 , and kept Sunderland up last year . Uruguayan was shortlisted for manager of the year last season . But Ellis Short decided to get rid of him after poor recent results . CLICK HERE for all the latest Sunderland news .