Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has insisted that the club's owner Ellis Short is fully behind him.
Short has made two managerial changes in the past year, but Poyet claims that he will not be the next coach to be shown the exit door despite being bottom of the Premier League table with seven games remaining in the season.
"The message from the owner is support, total support." said the Uruguayan. "I spoke to him this week and he is behind me.
"He made a decision and he is standing by it until the end.
"The conversation was very natural. I don't need to tell you what we said to each other but it was straightforward."
The Black Cats host Everton at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.