He is the last man standing in the bottom six – and David Moyes believes continuity is key as Sunderland attempt to keep their feet in the Premier League.
Following the departure, down the road, of Middlesbrough’s Aitor Karanka this week, the Black Cats are now the only club in the bottom half dozen not to have shown their manager the door this season.
And ex-Everton and Manchester United boss Moyes believes that should stand his current employers in good stead.
‘There's a lot of good managers who have lost their jobs, which is sad,’ said Moyes ahead of the visit of Sean Dyche’s Burnley.