Source: SKY_Sports
Quinn - I'm staying put
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has reassured fans about his own and Ricky Sbragia's future at the Stadium of Light.
Quinn says he is staying on Wearside as Ellis Short, who already owns a 30 per cent shareholding in the club, is considering buying a controlling interest.
The former player became chairman of the club in 2006 following the takeover by the Drumaville consortium, the Irish group whom he fronted.
He told The Sunday Sun: "I'm staying - absolutely, I'm staying.
"Thankfully, Ellis sees that as central to him being involved in the club at all. He doesn't tell me what to do, he trusts me and he understands the emotional side of football as much as the business side. He has put his faith in me and that will continue.
Limited lifespan"I think there would have been a limited lifespan for me as chairman if the Drumaville guys had stayed together. With the way the Irish economy has gone in the current economic climate, it would have fizzled out.
"But, if it (Short's takeover) comes off, this will give us a chance to take things onto another level now."
Quinn also insisted manager Sbragia is not set to be replaced by a more experienced boss in the summer.
"We are not looking at, or talking to, other people, unlike what some people have been saying in the media. I saw that we were linked with Louis van Gaal in one paper and he was linked with Chelsea in another!" Quinn said.
"We are not looking for anyone else. We are 100 per cent behind Ricky and he knows that. We want to finish the season strongly and then let Ricky have the pre-season with his team and add his new signings into the mix, then we can judge him on his team.
Healthier
"He will have done brilliantly if he keeps us up. We were in a difficult situation when he took over but he has got us looking somewhat healthier and now he just has to finish it off by keeping us in the Premiership and finishing as high in the table as possible."
Quinn added that Sbragia is scouting during the international break in preparation for the re-opening of the transfer window.
"Ricky's scouting network is in full swing, looking at players for the summer. And, he is going to see a couple of players play in international games next week," said Quinn.
"We want to build on Ricky's first few months in management and give him some money to spend in the summer."
