Pre-season gaffer announced…

Kevin Richardson will be the man in charge when the lads return for pre-season on Monday.

With the takeover nearing it’s final stages, no manager has yet been appointed at Sunderland. As the players return from their holidays ready to begin their pre-season training, the club has announced that Richardson, in his second spell as coach at the club, alongside head physio Pete Friar, will take charge of the early days of pre-season.

The club announced,

‘Following an announcement by Sunderland Limited on Tuesday confirming that the company intended to extend its exclusivity agreement with Niall Quinn and his consortium until 30th June, the club has confirmed that Kevin Richardson will commence pre-season preparation when the team report back on Monday.

‘The early part of pre-season focuses on necessary fitness work and Kevin, along with Peter Friar, will be taking the early sessions with players.’

Clearly, once the takeover is complete, a manager will be expected to be appointed sooner rather than later, with the new season fast approaching. It is believed that the consortium has managerial targets in mind and has already held initial, informal talks with several of them.