Sunderland Season 2008/9

[johntheclaret]

Thought this was quite interesting. Seems to follow on quite quickly after Keano's little outbust a week back. Do you remember his comments about not hanging around if fans boo the team.

Thanks to Sky Sports

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn believes the club can fulfil Roy Keane's lofty managerial ambitions.

The Irishman has entered the final year of a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light, having helped establish the Black Cats as a top flight outfit during his time on Wearside. He has always insisted that he remains relaxed about his future, but the situation has dominated the headlines surrounding the club of late.

However, Quinn has now revealed that, with a new two-year financial plan put in place, talks regarding a new deal have been opened with Keane's representatives. "The media seem to be more agitated about that, and more worried about it, than I," he told Sky Sports News. "We didn't approach Roy about the contract for the simple reason I wanted to get everything sorted behind the scenes, get the structure sorted and get a sound financial footing for the next couple of years. We have managed to do that over the last couple of months and it was only last Friday that I first contacted Roy's solicitor about making something that makes sense. I could tell Roy where the club is going and where we can support him. I think approaching him before that would not have been worthwhile. It's not a big thing, it's not about money here. It's about the direction the club is travelling in and the support we can offer in the future. I'm pleased to say that we now have a slick, intelligent business plan behind the scenes for the next two-and-a-half years and on Friday we started negotiations to bring Roy in on that."

A confidentiality agreement prevented Quinn from commenting on reports that the new two-year plan had been drawn up as a result of Irish-American businessman Ellis Short acquiring a 30 per cent stake in Drumaville, the consortium which owns the club.
However, the chairman did confirm that whatever happens behind the scenes Keane will remain in complete control of managerial duties. "We won't put any restrictions on Roy. He is very aware of the power he has in bringing people to the club, and he will just get our backing to do that," Quinn added. He has appointed scouts in 13 countries since we came, which is a big change from where we were two and a bit years ago. Slowly but surely, every aspect of the club is going that way. He has got the power to appoint scouts, he has got the power to name and choose the players we go after. He is the manager in every sense of the word and the fact now that we have a two and a half-year business plan, it is the right and correct time to ask him to commit."

A lot of words about his "power" as manager. Maybe they are concious of what has happen at Toon, particularly as Elis Short has taken a major investment in the club

[Pidge]

Sunderland buy all these players in the transfer period and they havent performed. Only good sign is that Malbranque is playing well for them. He is a quality player

[blackcat]

Go you mighty Blackcats

[Dogwatcher]

Good win o'night for the Black Cats over the enemy.

Richardson what a corker, he was due one after last week.

Black Cats, did I see you at the SANFL GF in a Sunderland shirt?

[blackcat]

Yeah i did have my sunderland shirt on at the GF so i would say that would've been me

[johntheclaret]

Sunderlands 1st win over the old enemy at home for 28 years. Shame about the fnas at the end of the game

Great goal by Richardson, but who lined up the wall. Shocking.

got to say, Richardson deserved his goal after the Fulham game.

Northumbian police are launching a full enquiry after the crowd scenes yesterday. 28 arrests were made. I thought that kind of stuff had finally been eradicated from the English game. 28 years is a long time to wait and emotions would have been high for the Cats fans, but that sort of behaviour is just no acceptable. Sad way to celebrate.

[Pidge]

Sunderlands 1st win over the old enemy at home for 28 years. Shame about the fnas at the end of the game

Great goal by Richardson, but who lined up the wall. Shocking.

got to say, Richardson deserved his goal after the Fulham game.

Northumbian police are launching a full enquiry after the crowd scenes yesterday. 28 arrests were made. I thought that kind of stuff had finally been eradicated from the English game. 28 years is a long time to wait and emotions would have been high for the Cats fans, but that sort of behaviour is just no acceptable. Sad way to celebrate.

Yeah, I heard that on the radio on BBC Sportsworld this morning. Not good to see.

[johntheclaret]

When the going gets tough, the tough get going (through the door)

Thanks to The Sporting Life and others

KEANE LEAVES SUNDERLAND

Sunderland have confirmed that manager Roy Keane has left the club.

The Irishman held crisis talks with the club's board on Thursday morning after which it was decided the two parties would go their separate ways.

Keane, who was appointed in August 2006, leaves with the Wearsiders in the Premier League relegation zone after a dismal set of results.The 37-year-old was appointed manager at the Stadium of Light in August 2006 and has been given unprecedented financial backing by the club's board.

He led Sunderland into the Premier League in his first season in charge while his debut year in the top flight resulted in a 15th-placed finish.

Keane then embarked on another summer of heavy spending with the likes of Djibril Cisse, Anton Ferdinand, El-Hadji Diouf, Pascal Chimbonda and Steed Malbranque arriving on Wearside.
But the new additions have failed to gel and the situation came to a head in Saturday's dismal 4-1 home thumping by Bolton.

Afterwards Keane admitted he was starting to doubt his suitability for the post.

He said in the post-match press conference: "I ask myself every single day if I am the right man for Sunderland. I asked myself this morning and I said that I was. Tomorrow morning if the answer's no we will have to look at it. I have to be honest in my assessment. It's not about what's best for Roy Keane. It's Sunderland Football Club. I might wake up on Monday morning and think I'm the right man. On Tuesday it might be different."

His contract was due to expire at the end of the season with talks over a new deal reportedly ongoing. Keane decided the time had come to stand down, and the decision was reached by amicable agreement.

First-team coach Ricky Sbragia will take over team affairs on an interim basis, assisted by reserve-team coach Neil Bailey and senior player Dwight Yorke.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said: "First of all on behalf of everyone here I would like to pay thanks to Roy Keane for all his hard work in progressing this club, lifting its status and growing its worldwide profile. Roy deserves huge respect for his contribution and the manner in which he guided the club from the depths of the Championship back to the Premier League. His winning mentality and single-mindedness were just what this club needed when Drumaville took over shortly before his arrival.

"Roy's decision to stand aside and allow someone else to take charge of the next chapter sums up his desire to always do what is best for the club. Even in his departure he has been more concerned for the welfare of the players and his staff than himself. The board has reluctantly accepted his decision and wish him and his family well for the future."

Keane added: "I would like to thank my staff, players, Niall Quinn and in particular the fans for their support during my time at Sunderland, and I would like to wish the club every success in the future."

[johntheclaret]

And whilst we are on the subject of new brooms

Thanks to Skysports

Walton new Black Cats chief

Black Cats leap for experienced player in world of football finance

Life-long Sunderland fan Steve Walton has been tasked with driving the Black Cats forward as the new chief executive of the club.

Walton brings a wealth of experience to the role and will take over in March next year from present incumbent Peter Walker, who has decided to pursue an opportunity outside of football.

[Dogwatcher]

Oh crap!

How're we gonna go now? Not too late to stave off a relegation dive I guess.

[McAlmanac]

Looks like a self preservation society. If you can't get the stomach for the fight at Man Ure then you never will. At Sunderland, seemingly, it's a different proposition....

Big Sam is a former player who seems like the perfect fit for the club. I hope they quickly and decisively move for him.

[johntheclaret]

Funny you should mention that McAlmanac

Thanks to The Sun

Allardyce - I am your man

Former Newcastle boss interested in Stadium of Light talks

Sam Allardyce has told Sunderland that he would be interested in discussing the vacant manager's seat at the Stadium of Light.

Former Black Cats boss Roy Keane ended a fortnight of speculation on Thursday when he resigned after just 27 months in charge.
Chairman Niall Quinn confessed that he attempted to change Keane's mind but, after an unsuccessful attempt to sway his former Republic of Ireland team-mate, a hunt is now on for a successor.

Allardyce, who spent a season as a player with Sunderland and also served on the Black Cats' coaching staff in the reign of Peter Reid, is the bookmakers' favourite, while his ex-Bolton assistant and current Hull City chief Phil Brown is also in contention.

And former Newcastle manager Allardyce, who was axed at St James' Park in January, has now admitted a curiosity in replacing Keane. "Sunderland are a great club so of course I would be interested in talking to them," Allardyce said in The Sun. "I have huge respect for the chairman Niall Quinn and the job he has done. I enjoyed the year I had at Sunderland and also when I did some coaching work there under Peter Reid. I also know how passionate the fans are about their team."

[devilsadvocate]

Looking at MOTD last night, the Black Cats seemed fairly unlucky not to earn a point at OT.

[johntheclaret]

Looking at MOTD last night, the Black Cats seemed fairly unlucky not to earn a point at OT.

the late, late show.

[RoosterMarty]

Looking at MOTD last night, the Black Cats seemed fairly unlucky not to earn a point at OT.

Hardly. All they did was park their bus in United's 18 yard box. I wouldn't say they deserved a point for that effort.

[devilsadvocate]

Looking at MOTD last night, the Black Cats seemed fairly unlucky not to earn a point at OT.

Hardly. All they did was park their bus in United's 18 yard box. I wouldn't say they deserved a point for that effort.

But, how many teams go to OT, park the bus and even manage point? I can't even recall one in recent times. So if they'd pulled it off, despite not being much of a spectacle, it would have been worthy of a point IMO.

[Dogwatcher]

A fair bit of luck involved - what did Man U have 12 shots on?

One had to go in eventually, disappointingly it did.

[johntheclaret]

Another rumour bites the dust ?

Thanks to Skysports

Co not keen on Sunderland

Adriaanse doesn't want Stadium of Light job
Co Adriaanse has insisted he has no interest in the vacant manager's job at Sunderland.

The veteran Dutch coach emerged as a shock candidate to succeed Roy Keane at the Stadium of Light over the weekend.

His odds tumbled as reports spread through the North East claiming the Red Bull Salzburg coach was keen on the role.

Chris Worts - Sunderland's new international development business manager and former chief executive at Feyenoord - is believed to have put forward Adriaanse's name to the club's board.

However, Adriaanse insists he has no intention of leaving his Austrian employers.

[johntheclaret]

They could do a lot worse than this guy. Quality manager who kept Charlton in the EPL for many more years than anyone could have predicted. Goon man management skills and has a good footballing brain.

Thanks to Skysports

Curbs still up for Black Cats role

Curbishley wants Sunderland job
Alan Curbishley remains hopeful he will be considered for the Sunderland job, describing it as a 'big job'.

The former West Ham and Charlton boss has already suggested he would be interested in the job at the Stadium of Light.

And Curbishley admits he would be keen to listen to Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn - if he came calling.

[blackcat]

Hey DW (or any other Sunderland supporters out there) are we go gonna beat Middlesbrough this week? Important game for the lads