DAVID MOYES thinks Sunderland’s battle to stay in the Premier League could have been boosted by the timing of Leicester City’s decision to sack title winning manager Claudio Ranieri.

The Black Cats boss is hoping the Foxes now become “rudderless” rather than experience a boost by a change at the top with both clubs embroiled in a fight to stay in the top-flight.

If bottom side Sunderland can stun Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday then they will leapfrog the reigning Premier League champions, who will drop into the bottom three before facing Liverpool on Monday night.

“I actually hope the decision works the opposite way,” said Moyes, speaking at the Academy of Light on Friday. “I think Leicester had a really good manager and sometimes that (changing manager) doesn’t always work.

“There is not big proof that that works. I’m hoping that in a way they become a bit rudderless. They are out there looking for a manager when at this time of the season, being stable, keeping things right, picking up the points …

“It was an incredible result to go to Seville and come away with a 2-1 result (in the Champions League on Wednesday). It has given them a fantastic chance of getting through. I don’t know what else has gone on.”

Leicester’s precarious position, just a point above the relegation zone, is a far cry from last May when Ranieri charmed everyone in English football and helped deliver a historic league title.

Moyes said: “I’m really disappointed for Claudio, he’s a good guy. He did an incredible job to win the league. It just shows we’re in the results business, no-one knows that more than me from Manchester United, you have to win games.”