Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 05 December 2008 )

English Premiership football News

Sunderland begin hunt for manager
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn began his search for a new manager Sam Allardyce favorite to take over.

Roy Keane has resigned from his boss on Thursday after 27 months in charge with the club 18th in the Premier League.

But former Newcastle and Bolton boss Allardyce said: "Sunderland is a big club so of course I would be interested."

Hull City Phil Brown, former West Ham manager Alan Curbishley and former and current England coach Steve McClaren FC Twente are also in the frame.

Allardyce, who has been unemployed since he left Newcastle in January 2008, added: "I have great respect for the chairman Niall Quinn and his work."

He also had a short period of reading at Sunderland 25 appearances in season 1980-81.

Keane has resigned as manager after a recent spate of poor form which saw Sunderland lose five of their last six games with the club falling into the relegation zone.

The former midfielder for Manchester United at the root of his departure Saturday after the 4-1 defeat to Bolton and despite almost 48 hours of talks with Quinn and the board in Sunderland, he finished his term at of Light.

Quinn must now begin the unenviable task of trying to find a manager who has the right credentials to replace Keane.

"Obviously, finding someone to fill Roy's shoes, there are various elements," said Quinn.

"Of course, to be a good manager, but in terms of box office, which will be difficult.

"When all is said and done - Roy said and I said it - this club is not about Roy Keane, Niall Quinn is not really on.

"Yes, perhaps the fans, but the club is the great, great thing."

Brown's side Hull are currently a fine start to their Fa Barclaycard Premiership debut season with the Tigers sixth in the table.

Curbishley West Ham as manager to leave in September 2008 after becoming Disillusion with the club transfer policy.

McClaren and is currently in charge of Dutch side FC Twente who made a good start to the season and appear to qualify for the knockout stages of the Uefa Cup.

Coach Ricky Sbragia, assisted by Neil Bailey and former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke will support in the interval Quinn searches for a replacement.

Sbragia, who himself worked in Allardyce's backroom staff at Bolton, has the arduous task of preparing for trip to Sunderland Saturday Fa Barclaycard Premiership champions Manchester United.

by bbcnews.