Sunderland have been relegated from the Premier League.
The Black Cats’ fate was confirmed with a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.
Joshua King scored the only goal of the game, which leaves Sunderland 13 points from safety with four games to play.
However, while relegation was finally confirmed on Saturday, it had been coming for a while. The club, which has been in the top flight since 2007, narrowly avoided the drop on several occasions in recent seasons.
And David Moyes made it clear from his first day as manager that he expected them to be in a relegation battle this season.
It would prove to be one of the only things Moyes got right at Sunderland.
The former Manchester United manager has overseen just five wins all season, and just one win since Christmas.
This time four years ago, Moyes was about to succeed Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford. Now he’s probably just hoping to be around for the trip to Burton Albion next season.
Sunderland are the first side to be relegated from the Premier League this season.
LLDLLLDLLLWWLWLLWLLDLLDWLLLDLLLDLL
Not good enough. pic.twitter.com/7s5NtSnyt2
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 29, 2017
Shocking that a team managed by this sort of tactical mastermind have gone down pic.twitter.com/YUGZ68LM3V
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) April 29, 2017
The problems at the club are by no means solely down to Moyes, and many predate his arrival last summer. However, there’s no denying the Scot has failed to galvanise his players or convince the fans he’s the right man for the job.
Many Sunderland fans turned on Moyes following Saturday’s game, and seemingly don’t trust him to guide the club back into the Premier League.
Loud chants of 'We want Moyes out' as Bournemouth's players celebrated the goal.
— Roker Report (@RokerReport) April 29, 2017
Moyes should obviously go but @LamineKone_23 is even worse, completely shite all season and got us relegated today, cheers mate #teamkone
— Daniel Thomas (@DanielThomas100) April 29, 2017
Well the day has finally happened, we all knew as soon as Moyes made his opening statement at the start of the season! #safc
— Stephanie Magrs (@StephAnderson_) April 29, 2017
The only thing that Moyes got right was his prediction that we'd be in a relegation battle. Aye Dave, you were fucking spot on there lad.
— Jake (@ThisIsJakeJ) April 29, 2017
pretty shoddy of moyes to disappear down the tunnel, he should have stayed and faced the fans with the players
— carol main (@carol28608) April 29, 2017
Moyes was a gamble and it just completely backfired. Players didn't perform, and he couldn't help them do it.
— Tom Nightingale (@tdnightingale) April 29, 2017
Big Sam started improving us, had a good team spirit going getting wins on the board then Moyes comes along and ruins the whole lot
— Dev ☻ (@DevanLonsdale) April 29, 2017
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