May 2009 Archives
SUNDERLAND goalkeeper Darren Ward has hung up his gloves after being released by the Black Cats.
The former Wales international has decided to call time on his playing career after admitting defeat in his battle against a series of back injuries which have plagued him throughout his career.
But the 35-year-old - who was Sunderland's first choice in their Championship-winning season in 2006-7 - is hoping to stay in football and is now looking for a coaching opportunity.
DWIGHT Yorke has emerged as the biggest casualty of a cull of Sunderland fringe men following the club's flirt with relegation from the Premier League.
The veteran midfielder was one of seven out-of-contract players released by the managerless Black Cats yesterday, heading a list that was compiled by former boss Ricky Sbragia before he jetted off to Australia on holiday.
And, as Sunderland continue their preparations for next season, there were claims last night that the club has been given permission to speak to number one managerial target Steve Bruce.
SUNDERLAND are keeping their options open after baulking at the £5m price tag Wigan have slapped on manager Steve Bruce.
The Black Cats made Bruce their number one target after Ricky Sbragia stepped down at the weekend in the wake of steering Sunderland to Premier League safety.
Sunderland enquired about Bruce and the initial reaction they received from Wigan was favourable - so much so that Wigan are understood to have already identified Swansea boss Roberto Martinez as the man they want to take over at the JJB Stadium if Bruce moves on.
SLAVEN Bilic is interested in the Sunderland managerial vacancy.
Bilic's agent Rudi Vata has told The Journal the Croatia boss would be keen on talks with the Black Cats if they decide not to pursue number one target Steve Bruce, whose switch to the Stadium of Light hit a hitch yesterday.
Highly ambitious and well-regarded, Bilic is preparing for a must-win World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, but has let it be known he is looking for a new challenge.
STEVE BRUCE is Sunderland's No 1 target for the vacant manager's job on Wearside - but the Black Cats could have to pay as much as £5m to get him.
The Wigan boss has emerged as the favourite to replace Ricky Sbragia, who stepped down after steering Sunderland to safety.
Bruce says he is 'flattered' by Sunderland's interest, and it is believed that discussions have progressed to the stage where a compensation package is being negotiated with the Latics.
STEVE Bruce is set to resign as manager of Wigan Athletic, to pave the way for him to become Sunderland's next manager.
Unless it becomes clear that Alan Shearer will not become Newcastle United's permanent boss, Bruce is expected to be installed at the Stadium of Light imminently.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has long been resigned to the fact that Bruce would eventually move to pastures new, and will not try to stand in his way.
Whelan's primary objective will now be to negotiate a generous compensation package, with a fee of around £5m set to be agreed.
NIALL QUINN has promised to deliver a 'big name' as he searches for the right man to take charge of Sunderland next season.
The Black Cats chairman has started looking for potential candidates after Ricky Sbragia quit on Sunday in the wake of the Wearsiders securing their top-flight status on the final day of the Premier League campaign.
Sbragia, who has an excellent reputation as a coach but was a managerial rookie when he took over from Roy Keane in December, stepped down saying he believed Sunderland needed a big-name appointment to move the club on to the next level.
AS Niall Quinn compiles the list from which he will select Sunderland's new manager, the role of the previous occupant is still to be decided.
Chairman Quinn publicly promised Ricky Sbragia "a job for life" when announcing the Scot's resignation in the immediate aftermath of Sunday's final game of the season. The inevitable decision not to make Djibril Cissé's season-long loan permanent was confirmed yesterday, but as yet it is the only real loose end to be resolved. Sbragia's fate is one of the most pressing because of its bearing on his replacement.
In talking about the parting of the ways, Quinn spoke vaguely of a job in "player recruitment" for Sbragia, but both men admitted they had yet to discuss the matter.
SKIPPER Dean Whitehead says the Sunderland players were shocked at Ricky Sbragia's decision to step down within minutes of securing the Black Cats' Premier League place.
Sunderland lost 3-2 at home to Chelsea but defeats for Newcastle and Middlesbrough meant the Wearsiders were safe.
Sbragia - who signed an 18-month contract as manager in December after a spell as caretaker boss following Roy Keane's walkout - had already discussed his decision with chairman Niall Quinn on the eve of the game, and Quinn broke the news to the players in the dressing room.
"The chairman sat us down after we all came off the pitch after the game and said the manager would not be accepting the offer of a contract for next season," said Whitehead.
"We have to thank Ricky for what he has done. He stood up to be counted when the club needed him and that took a lot of guts and belief."
NIALL QUINN will today start the search for Ricky Sbragia's successor after the Sunderland boss stepped down in the wake of securing the Black Cats' place in the Premier League.
Quinn paid tribute to Sbragia and promised him a 'job for life' at the club, with a role in player recruitment the likely next step for the popular coach.
Quinn said: "I want to put on record our thanks for what Ricky has done and how grateful we are that he stood up and took the job on in December.
"He got us to where we needed to be. He's given this club a lifeline and now it is an opportunity we have to grab with both hands and kick on.
"Ricky has agreed to stay and be part of that. He's got a job for life at this football club."
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