Quinn close to naming new manager

After a torrid baptism as Sunderland manager, former Ireland international Niall Quinn will step aside and revert to his role as chairman.

Quinn, 39, who led a consortium that bought a controlling interest last month and then named himself as manager, is close to appointing a "world class" coach at the ailing second division club.

Any hopes Sunderland fans had of putting memories of last season's Premier League demotion behind them have quickly evaporated with the north-east club, long in the shadow of local rivals Newcastle, losing their opening four league games of the season.

Tuesday's 2-0 loss to fourth division Bury in the League Cup prompted Quinn to reveal his plans.

"I stepped into this role because we didn't get the quality of manager that I thought we would. We are now getting very close to doing that," Quinn, a popular forward at the club in the last six years of his career, told Sunderland's website.

"I will revert back to the role as chairman as soon as possible. I didn't like to put the players under pressure in the last month by saying I was still looking, but I know my role here is best as chairman.

"We've tracked a would-be manager for the last four weeks and we're getting closer. I can't name him because there is nothing done yet."

Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League in May after an awful season that produced just three wins and 15 points. They sacked manager Mick McCarthy in March.