By Matthew Jones
October 8 2002

Peter Reid sacked by Sunderland, and Sir Bobby Robson isn't happy about it. "I'm very sorry and saddened that it should have happened to Peter. I'm very disappointed and I have to say I'm sometimes amazed at what happens in football." Bobby expects PEter to be back managing another club soon. As you probably know, Peter Reid was fired from Sunderland yesterday. Sir Bobby Robson has blasted derby rivals "The Black Cats" for giving him the boot.

Robson recently leapt to Reid's defence as pressure on him grew following the Magpies' defeat of the Black Cats at St James's Park.
Now, the United chief insists Sunderland's hierarchy have been guilty of poor timing in sacking Reid less than two months into the season.

Robson said: "I'm very sorry and saddened that it should have happened to Peter. I'm very disappointed and I have to say I'm sometimes amazed at what happens in football. I understand the sentiments of the Sunderlandchairman and agree with what he has said about all that Peter has done for Sunderland. But why, then, has he gone?"

Robson added: "Peter has no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed. He is a very good manager and it won't be long before he is back in a job at another club."

Sunderland's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday seemingly proved too much for the club's board to take, but Robson said: "Everybody has been losing to Arsenal.

"I know the reasons are wider than that but it's October - nobody wins or loses anything in October, so why has he suddenly been sacked?"