KEVIN Kyle last night slammed the "pointless" dismissal of manager Mick McCarthy and claimed chairman Bob Murray has removed Sunderland's best chance of a rapid return to the Premiership.

McCarthy was dismissed yesterday with his side firmly rooted to the foot of the table and almost certain to be relegated at the end of the season.

But, while the former Republic of Ireland boss has won just two of his 37 Premiership games, he boasts a proven track record in the Championship.

Last season's promotion underlined his managerial capabilities and, with most Sunderland fans shocked by the timing of yesterday's decision, Kyle has questioned the wisdom of Murray's move.

"There isn't a better man to take us back up than the gaffer, said the Scotland international, who finally broke his Premiership goalscoring duck in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City, a game that was to mark the end of McCarthy's reign.

"To bring someone else in is a bit pointless. We have ten games to go and we will be relegated so I don't see the point of bringing someone else in. What's that going to achieve?"

McCarthy's position was precarious following a board meeting in London in January. The Yorkshireman is understood to have been told he would still be in place come August, provided his side showed signs of improvement in the second half of the campaign.

That has not happened, with Sunderland having won just one Premiership game since the turn of the year but, with relegation all but assured, yesterday's announcement was still unexpected.

"I'm very disappointed that he's gone," added midfielder Liam Lawrence. "We're all very surprised at the timing of it all.

"If they were going to do this, why didn't they do it at Christmas? I don't understand the timing - it's the wrong time for us.

"He had the full support of the dressing room. We all supported him. A lot of the lads owe a lot to Mick McCarthy.

"I certainly do because he was the one that brought me to the club. I'm gutted for him and am lost for words at the moment."

McCarthy broke the news of his dismissal during an emotional meeting at the Academy of Light yesterday morning. Having spoken to each of the players individually, he then drove away from the training ground for the final time at around 3pm.

"A meeting was called at 10.30am," confirmed Kyle. "The gaffer just came in and said he had been sacked, we were all shocked.

"I think he said 'I've got the old tic-tac'. He was trying to be upbeat but you could see he was devastated by it all.

"The players couldn't believe it and we were all gutted. When that meeting had finished, he wanted to see us all one by one and he was really down about the whole thing.

"He told us to keep going and said that we will be all right. He told us that he will be all right as well."

Kevin Ball has been appointed as caretaker manager for the final ten games of the season and, while their fate would appear to be sealed, Sunderland's players will be playing for their pride between now and the beginning of May.

Three years ago, the club broke the record for the lowest points total in Premiership history. Nine more points are needed if they are to avoid an even more ignominious fate.

"We have to go on and pick ourselves up now," said Lawrence. "We have to look forward to the game at the weekend. We have to do our best for the sake of the football club.

"I still hope we can save ourselves. We've got ten games left and we have to keep doing our best and hope that's good enough for us."

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