Sbragia stands down as Sunderland boss

Ricky Sbragia resigned as manager of Sunderland on Sunday just minutes after the club’s survival in the Premier League was confirmed.

Sunderland lost their final match, 3-2 at home to Chelsea, but defeats for Newcastle and Middlesbrough meant they stayed up.

“I’ve had a chat with Niall (Quinn, Sunderland’s chairman) this week and I think we need a bigger name to carry the club further,” Sbragia said.

“I’ve done everything I needed to. I was given the opportunity to manage the club – and I’ve kept them in the Premier League. I would like to have done it better but I’m really pleased we stayed up.”

The Scot stepped up from a coaching role at Sunderland after Roy Keane left the club in November.

“I’ve loved it,” he insisted. “There’s been a lot of pressure – we started so well and maybe got carried away, losing our focus – but I always thought we were good enough to stay in the Premier League.”