Premier League - Quinn wants big name manager

Eurosport - Mon, 25 May 14:39:00 2009

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has promised to take his time to find a big-name manager after Ricky Sbragia kept the club in the Barclays Premier League and then stood down.

FOOTBALL Ricky Sbragia, who quit as Sunderland manager after they narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League - 0

The 50-year-old announced his decision not to take up the option of another year on his contract in the wake of the Black Cats' 3-2 home defeat by Chelsea, despite defeats for Hull and Newcastle ensuring they remain in the top flight.

Quinn, who appointed Sbragia as Roy Keane's permanent replacement in December after his successful spell as caretaker, paid tribute to him for the job he has done since, and then vowed to recruit a high-profile boss to take over.

He said: "It needs a big man to take on a mantle, to take the pressure, to take the interest, to take the strain of getting a big club like this to go forward and to change the mentality.

"But what I would say - and Ricky knows it too - we do need a big name here, but we need somebody, I believe, who will change the mentality of the dressing room.

"But that's for another day. I haven't even set a timescale for starting to talk about it, and that's the truth."

Goals from Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole gave Chelsea victroy in Guus Hiddink's final game in charge with Kieran Richardson and Kenwyne Jones replying for Sunderland.

Sbragia told Sky Sports: "I've had a chat with Niall (chairman, Quinn) this week and I think we need a bigger name to carry the club further. I've done everything I needed to.

"I was given the opportunity to manage the club - and I've kept them in the Premier League. I would like to have done it better but I'm really pleased we stayed up.

"There's been a lot of pressure - we started so well and maybe got carried away, losing our focus - but I always thought we were good enough to stay in the Premier League.

"I would like to have finished it with a win but I'm pleased for the players and my staff. We've got a foundation and I'll be thoroughly enjoying seeing Sunderland move up that table.

"I'll come back in the next couple of days and tidy things up and I'll look forward to some time on my own reflecting on what's happened in the last five months."

PA Sport

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  1. Jungle Drum says 'Gordon Strachen' any bets

    From Roger, on Mon 25 May 1:04PM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Sorry Sunderland, but you are in dreamland, (or should­ that be Wunderland?) you are not a big club and never­ will be; even if you appoint Venables, Mourinho, Wenger­ and Ferguson as joint managers! Geordieland clubs­ should be playing in the Scottish Premiership where­ they belong.....at least then the Scottish clubs would­ have some decent football matches to watch instead of­ the same old, same old Rangers/Celtic domination season­ after season. Before you "click" the negative­ against my comment, just think about it......where are­ Sunderland, Middlesboro, and Newcastle in the league?­ And let's face it, Hull are not too distant from GL­ and where are they? And what do Celtic and Rangers win­ apart from the Scottish Premiership? Scotland is a­ great place for you all to find some success....go for­ it!

    From Philip B, on Mon 25 May 12:42PM

  3. Here's hoping your not planning a 3 month world­ cruise with Mrs Quinn Niall, Sooner rather than later­ Hey!

    Please don't appoint Ericsson, Shearer,­ Southgate,Ramos, Adams, Buxton, Wilkinson, Bruce­ etc.

    Fact! Sunderland are the only team in the N.E­ worthy of premier league status, and thanks to the­ s(hite around us, our nearest rival is a 300mile round­ trip.

    From PWilson, on Mon 25 May 12:28PM

  4. when I wrote that comment earlier I ment I am a west­ ham fan

    From Gary G, on Mon 25 May 12:22PM

  5. Ricky should have stayed . I am a west ham

    From Gary G, on Mon 25 May 12:22PM

  6. If they got someone with a double barrel name, that­ will be even bigger, and sunderland will be even better­ for it. The longer the name, the more success. Alex­ Ferguson's real name is Alexander Nurunomanishev­ Curacontamonemi Fregusonimaniotalenmdhajhzzzzrhgjg,­ which explains his success.

    But really, Reading once­ went for a "big name manager" and got tommy­ burns, he was bad. They need a good manager, not a big­ name.

    From tom b, on Mon 25 May 11:47AM

  7. Southgate is a @#$% coach! If Sunderland go for him­ you can look forward to Division 1 next season.
    I have­ a funny feeling that Gordon Strachan is gonna be­ available. Four seasons at Celtic and back to back­ last 16 in Champions league would stand him in good­ stead. He is used to success and I think he is ready­ for a new challenge.

    From frankiethebear2002, on Mon 25 May 11:25AM

  8. #4 you can have the ginger minger from bolton, we will­ even give you a hair dye as well

    From jim r, on Mon 25 May 11:00AM

  9. Big Name manager people. The ones mentioned on here are­ so far, not big names.

    I think, it will be Sven next­ season. Svenderland! You heard it here first.....

    From SIMON, on Mon 25 May 10:59AM

  10. Ricky is a great coach and has done a great job in­ saving sunderland. However he knows he does not have­ what it takes to be a manager so respect to him for­ standing down and letting quinn get a new man in for­ next season. If you cant tempt megson away from Bolton­ I'll be more than happy.

    From cheshire set, on Mon 25 May 9:27AM

  11. WELL DONE SHEARER FROM 50,000 SUNDERLAND SUPPORTERS

    From suzcheal, on Mon 25 May 9:02AM

  12. Respect to you Ricky Sbrabia. You did what you came to­ do and then resigned with respect. Paul Hart take­ note.

    From ROCK AND ROLL LOVES CHODES, on Mon 25 May 9:01AM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I discorvered a hot place
    ------Wealth y F inder C o­ M------ where many sexy singles- who like dating and--­ chatting there. I'm an open- minded girl with­ s---exual a--ttraction and big b---oobs. I-- am ­ Waiting 4 u

    From sexyfishfghh, on Mon 25 May 8:53AM

  14. Good on yer Ricky Niall please please please dont take­ the ginger whinger from Celtic we have already been the­ laughing stock once with Wilkinson dont repeat the­ mistake with Strachan .

    From stephen, on Mon 25 May 8:31AM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    southgate is available, he is cheap and knows the area,­ but get him quick before he is snapped up, by a league­ 2 club.

    From Dave H, on Mon 25 May 8:28AM

  16. Well done Ricky

    From edwardoldfield12345, on Mon 25 May 8:07AM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    please take gorden strachen 60.000 celtic supporters

    From John Patrick, on Mon 25 May 7:49AM
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