Sunderland have replaced Gus Poyet with Dick Advocaat in a late bid to stave off relegation from the Premier League. Here's how some other managers fared at embattled sides after being appointed in March. 

David Moyes (Everton)
2002
Did they beat the drop? Yes

The Northern Echo:

Only one point kept Everton out of the relegation zone when Walter Smith was sacked. David Moyes came in from Preston and led the Toffees from danger, finishing the season comfortably in 15th.

Peter Reid (Leeds)
2003
Did they beat the drop? Yes

The Northern Echo:

Appointed interim manager following the sacking of Terry Venables, the former England international took over with the side on a miserable run of form - a slump he helped end, with Leeds securing three wins from their final four games.

Alan Shearer (Newcastle)
2009
Did they beat the drop? No

The Northern Echo:

On a sabbatical from Match of the Day, former Newcastle number nine Alan Shearer became Magpies boss with just eight games remaining. Defeat to Chelsea in his opening match, with Iain Dowie alongside him as assistant, was followed by four more defeats, two draws and one win - against rivals Middlesbrough who were also relegated. An own goal by Damien Duff against Aston Villa sealed Newcastle's fate on the final day of the season.

Iain Dowie (Hull)
2010
Did they beat the drop? No

The Northern Echo:

Phil Brown was the first manager to ever lead Hull to the top flight, but that did not stop the powers that be from wielding the axe. Dowie came in - as "football management consultant", with Brown on garden leave - but was unable to avert the slide and City were relegated at the end of the campaign.

Nigel Adkins (Reading)
2013
Did they beat the drop? No

The Northern Echo:

Brian McDermott led the Royals to the Championship title, but was replaced the following March by the man who finished runner-up to him. Adkins, recently sacked by fellow promoted side Southampton, was unable to steer his new side away from relegation.

Paolo Di Canio (Sunderland)
2013
Did they beat the drop? Yes

The Northern Echo:

The Italian's reign at the Stadium of Light was tumultuous but it had the desired impact at the end of the 2012-13 season. Martin O'Neill was sacked with the Black Cats one point above the relegation zone with seven games left of a season they would ultimately end three points clear thanks to maverick Di Canio.