Manchester United's manager Alex Ferguson and his Sunderland counterpart Steve Bruce. Bruce has now been sacked. REUTERS/Darren Staples
"It is my job as chairman to act in the best interests of our football club at all times and I can assure everyone that this is not a decision that I have taken lightly," chairman Ellis Short said in a statement
"Sadly results this season have simply not been good enough and I feel the time is right to make a change."
