Gus Poyet confirmed as new Sunderland manager

Gus Poyet has been handed the task of dragging Sunderland out of relegation trouble after being named as Paolo Di Canio's successor. The 45-year-old Uruguayan has signed a two-year deal and will take charge with immediate effect.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion manager's initial challenge will be to secure a first Premier League win of the season. Sunderland are at the foot of the table with only one point from their first seven games, a return that leaves them six adrift of 17th place.

Poyet's arrival at the Stadium of Light, where he becomes the sixth permanent manager in less than five years – his official title, like that of Di Canio, will be head coach – was confirmed on Tuesday morning.

The club's owner, Ellis Short, who took more than a fortnight to make an appointment, said: "We analysed a wide range of candidates and believe that Gus's track record, experience, commitment and passion make him the right man to take us forward. We welcome him to Sunderland."

Poyet will have the international break during which to work with those players not representing their countries, before sending a team out for the first time at Swansea City a week on Saturday. Intriguingly, his second game, as was Di Canio's, will be a derby with Newcastle, and a repeat on Wearside of the 3-0 win the Black Cats secured at St James' Park in April would provide the perfect launch-pad for his tenure.