• Premier League

Poyet earns new contract at Sunderland

Gus Poyet engineered a remarkable turnaround to lift Sunderland off the bottom of the Premier League and finish 14th © Getty Images

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Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has been rewarded for keeping the club in the Premier League with a new two-year contract extension.

Poyet, 46, took charge of Sunderland in October after Paolo Di Canio's doomed spell in charge left the club without a win in the Premier League.

In March relegation to the Championship looked a certainty until a remarkable turnaround saw them climb off the bottom of the table and finish 14th. After drawing at Manchester City they went on to win at both Chelsea - Jose Mourinho's first-ever home loss in the Premier League - and Manchester United.

There had been speculation over Poyet's future, but he is now committed to the club until the summer of 2016.

Poyet told Sunderland's official website: "I am delighted to extend my stay with Sunderland AFC, after an unbelievable season and our famous great escape.

"Stability is absolutely key to long-term and sustained success for any football club, and this new contract gives both the club and me that stability going forward.

"Now it's a different challenge for me and the club and I am relishing the next stage with Sunderland. We achieved so much last season, working together - the club and the fans - and we took many good memories from the season.

"The prospect of creating more of those memories is one which excites me, and now I cannot wait for the next chapter in my career and the history of Sunderland AFC."

The club's sporting director, Lee Congerton, added: "We are naturally delighted that Gus has committed his long-term future to Sunderland. Our plans are well underway in terms of summer recruitment and we are working hard to bring new faces to the squad ahead of the 2014-15 season."

Poyet's coaching staff - Mauricio Taricco, Charlie Oatway, Andy Beasley (goalkeeping coach) and Antonio Pintus (fitness coach) will also remain in place.

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