Niall Quinn: Ricky Sbragia is not a stop-gap boss

Mar 29 2009 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

NIALL QUINN has rejected claims that Ricky Sbragia is a stopgap appointment — and insists the Scot will be in charge of the Black Cats in the Premier League next season.

Sbragia stepped up from coaching duties to take over as manager in December following a successful stint as caretaker-boss in the immediate aftermath of Roy Keane’s departure.

But speculation has abounded that Sbragia is merely keeping the seat warm for a high-profile appointment this summer — a rumour that Quinn is keen to quash.

Vastly experienced coach Louis van Gaal, who is currently in charge of Dutch league leaders AZ Alkmaar — is the latest name to be linked with a switch to the Stadium of Light but Quinn says Sunderland are not looking for anyone else.

And, assuming Sunderland stay up, he has promised that Sbragia will be given cash to spend in the summer.

“We are not looking at or talking to other people, unlike what some people have been saying in the media,” said Quinn.

“I saw that we were linked with Louis van Gaal in one paper and he was linked with Chelsea in another!

“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.

“He will have done brilliantly if he keeps us up.