Quinn in no hurry to find Keane's successor

SOCCER: SUNDERLAND ARE in no hurry to appoint a replacement for Roy Keane and do not feel they need to have anyone in situ before Saturday's home game against West Bromwich.

Niall Quinn, the chairman, is leading the recruitment process and plans to discuss progress at a board meeting on Wednesday.

Ellis Short, Sunderland's majority shareholder, will have a big say in the appointment.

The Dutchman Chris Woert, the club's new international development business manager, may use the international contacts he made in his previous job as Feyenoord's chief executive.

Another Dutchman, Martin Jol, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager, in charge of Hamburg, is a contender. His former Spurs assistant Chris Hughton, now coaching Newcastle United but an old friend of Quinn's, said: "Martin is a top man and a very good manager."

Of about 60 applications, up to 30 were considered "credible".

Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson believes newly-crowned Ballon d'Or (European Footballer of the Year) winner Cristiano Ronaldo can emulate France legend Michel Platini and lift the prestigious trophy several times.

The Manchester United winger was presented with the trophy yesterday.

Ferguson insists there is much more to come from the 23-year-old. "Of course he can win it again," the United coach told French television. "He's only starting his career. We expect, and I think Cristiano also expects, him to improve.

"I think that when a player gets to 26 that's when they begin to mature, so these next three or four years for Cristiano will prove my point.

"He'll win more and I hope he'll win them at Manchester United.

"Everyone at the club is delighted to see him get this prize because it represents the best award you can get as a footballer, this individual prize.

"It's a long time, 40 years, since (George) Best got it, so I'm delighted that we have another prestigious moment."

"It's also part of the legend of Cristiano Ronaldo."

Even though the Portugal winger was the overwhelming favourite to win, he insists he never thought it was a sure thing.

"I always said I thought I would get here one day," he said, "but I never stopped respecting all my rivals, all who were nominated for this trophy. I've always respected them and I'll continue doing so. I think they have all the necessary qualities to win one day."

• Guardian Service