Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini is confident that Gus Poyet can succeed in the Premier League with the Black Cats.
The Uruguayan has been appointed as the club's new head coach following the dismissal of Paolo Di Canio, who was sacked just five games into the Premier League season.
Although the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss has no experience managing in the top flight, Gabbiadini believes that his experience as a player will prove vital.
"Gus Poyet knows his way around the Premier League as a player, there's no doubt about that, so that will stand him in good stead," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Five Live.
"He's a respected person as a player. He always comes over very well in the press, he's a very open and honest sort of guy.
"He went to Brighton and got promoted in his first full season with them and got them to the playoffs last year, so you'd have to say he was a success, albeit it finished on a cloud."
Poyet signed a two-year contract at the Stadium of Light.
