Hull City manager Steve Bruce believes Paolo Di Canio s outdated approach to management proved to be his downfall at Sunderland.
Di Canio was dismissed by the Wearside club on Sunday having overseen a run that saw his side pick up just one point from their five opening games and left them rock-bottom of the Premier League.
The Italian only joined the Stadium of Light outfit as Martin O Neill s replacement in March, helping them preserve their top-flight status thanks partly to a 3-0 derby win at Newcastle United.
But Sunderland have failed to build on that success this term despite recruiting 14 players in the transfer window, while Di Canio has regularly criticised his players in public after poor results.
And Bruce, who managed Sunderland from 2009 to 2011, feels that Di Canio s man management style cannot succeed in the modern game.
You cannot manage in the Premier League these days through a fear factor, he told talkSPORT.
Man management has become more relevant in my experience than coaching.
Once you get yourself in the Premier League, they re all good players and you ve got to find a way of getting the best out of them.
However, Bruce did admit to feeling sympathy for Di Canio, whose departure came after just 13 games in charge.
It s never been my style to criticise anyone in public and I m disappointed for Paolo. He s a character. A manager s lost his job, he added.
Management is a lonely place and he s lost his job this morning (Monday). I feel sorry for any manager in that position. I ve gone through it and it s not nice.
