Former Sunderland midfielder Kevin Kilbane feels that the club's decision to sack Martin O'Neill and replace him with Paolo Di Canio is a "massive gamble".
Black Cats chairman Ellis Short chose to sack O'Neill following his side's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United and brought in the former Swindon Town boss 24 hours later.
Kilbane wrote in his column in the Daily Mail: "Sacking Martin O'Neill and appointing Paolo Di Canio is a massive gamble by the club.
"I just hope it doesn't return to haunt them, and they end up back in the Championship. They cannot afford to go there again."
Sunderland are 16th in the Premier League and are just one point clear of the relegation zone.
