Former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has sprung to the defence of the club's outgoing chairman Ellis Short, insisting that he is not to blame for their back-to-back relegations.

The Uruguayan, who was one of nine head coaches to serve during the American's ownership, said that he has "no complaints" about his working relationship with Short.

"There is something inside the club that doesn't let it be as successful as it should be," Poyet told BBC Sport. "I don't think it is anything to do with Ellis Short.

"When you change the manager many times and it doesn't get better, then people blame the directors and the chairman.

"I had a fantastic time with him when I was there. We were always very honest to each other, he knows what I think about everything that was happening there and it is fantastic for him to remember those things I said to him and that will stay between us."

Short has agreed to sell Sunderland, who will play in League One next season, to an overseas consortium led by Eastleigh chairman Stewart Donald.