McCarthy 'was given all Sunderland's affordable funds'

Sunderland vice-chairman John Fickling has insisted Mick McCarthy was given every penny the club could spare to fund his summer rebuilding programme.

The Black Cats boss was sacked yesterday after his side slumped to its 22nd defeat – against Manchester City on Sunday – in 28 Barclays Premiership games.

McCarthy departed with many fans still believing he had not been given a genuine chance of securing top-flight survival, despite being handed £10m (€14.6m) to strengthen his side.

However, Fickling pointed to the form of fellow promoted sides West Ham and Wigan – and their similar budgets – to counter those claims.

“We made the maximum amount of money possible available this season,” he said.

“That’s the job of any board and that’s what we have done.”