Source: SKY_Sports
Sbragia accepts job threat
Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia knows his job will be under threat if the Black Cats are relegated from the Premier League.
The North East club have slipped to 17th in the table, just three points above bitter local rivals Newcastle, after a run of just two points from their last six games.
Sbragia was appointed as the club's new manager in December having
initially taken over on a caretaker basis following Roy Keane's abrupt departure.
Chairman Niall Quinn handed the Scot a contract until the end of the 2010 season, but the Sunderland boss knows failing to keep the club up could see him shown the door.
Sbragia told the Sunderland Echo: "I don't think you are ever secure as a manager, no matter what support you have got.
"I knew when I took the job on what was expected - I have to keep the club up, it's as simple as that.
"If I don't achieve that, I don't know what's going to happen.
"But I don't feel the pressure because I try not to read the papers or let the media spotlight get to me. I know what I have to do and I'm focused on that.
"I don't think any manager in my position, in charge of a club down there at the wrong end of the table, is safe. That's just part of football."
Sunderland's next test is Saturday's home meeting with Premier League leaders Manchester United, who climbed back to the top of the table after back-to-back defeats courtesy of Sunday's dramatic 3-2 victory over Aston Villa.
Sbragia hopes Sir Alex Ferguson's side will be distracted by UEFA Champions League action when they travel to Wearside, with their quarter-final matches against Porto coming either side of Saturday's domestic clash.
The Black Cats boss said: "Against Manchester United, anything can happen. We have to hope that they maybe have an off day and we have to be more adventurous.
"Manchester United have got Champions League games either side of this weekend and hopefully that might make a little bit of a difference."
