Former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce has been named as the new coach of Sunderland, leaving the post at Premier League rivals Wigan Athletic vacant.
The 48-year-old, who hails from nearby Corbridge, has signed a three-year contract with the side that finished 16th in the 20-team English top division, having previously coached Sheffield United FC, Huddersfield Town FC, Crystal Palace FC and Birmingham City FC.
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said:
“Steve knows more than anyone what football means to people of this region, and I’m confident that he will be able to instil into our players exactly what it means to play for this football club.” Read more... (326 words, 3 images, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)
Wigan have given manager Steve Bruce permission to talk to Sunderland.
The Latics have agreed a compensation package, believed to be between £3-5 million with their Premier League rivals, clearing the way for Bruce to move to the Stadium of Light.
And the former Manchester United defender is now expected to replace Ricky Sbragia, who resigned on the final day of the season after keeping the club in the Premier League.
Bruce joined Wigan from Birmingham in November 2007 and led them to an impressive 11th-place finish this term. Read more... (157 words, 3 images, estimated 38 secs reading time)
Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia has resigned despite the club holding on to their top-flight status in England on the final day of Premier League action.
The north-east outfit suffered a 3-2 loss to Chelsea in their last outing of the season but defeats for Hull City and Newcastle meant they finished 16th and outside of the bottom three. ”
I do feel that the club needs a bigger name,” said Sbragia, who stepped into the role in the wake of Roy Keane’s resignation last December. “I took over in a difficult situation. I was asked to keep the club up and I achieved that. I could’ve been selfish and stayed on but I felt it was best for the club for me to step down.” Read more... (268 words, 3 images, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)
Nickname(s): The Black Cats, The Mackems
2008/2009 Position: 17th
2007/2008 Finish: 15th
Coach: Ricky Sbragia (Scotland)
Stadium: Stadium of Light (49,000 capacity)
Key Players: Steed Malbranque, Djibril Cisse, Kieran Richardson
History:
Sunderland was founded in 1879 as Sunderland and District Teachers. Though they have won the first division several times, they have not procured any major trophies since 1936. Despite their record of poor play, the team has some of the most devoted supporters in the league. They also make more noise than other teams’ fans, with their volume being measured at 129.2 deafening decibels last year. Read more... (276 words, 2 images, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)
