Former boss Sbragia back at Sunderland

Former Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia has been appointed as the club’s new chief scout just three months after stepping down as boss.

The former Bolton and Manchester United assistant was asked to take over as Sunderland’s caretaker manager following Roy Keane’s departure in December and narrowly managed to keep the club in the Premier League.

Their status was secured on the final day of the season despite a 3-2 home defeat by Chelsea, and within minutes of the final whistle, Sbragia had resigned.

But Sbragia was promised a job for life at the Stadium of Light by chairman Niall Quinn and Steve Bruce, Sbragia’s replacement, has found him a new role in charge of the scouting network.

Bruce said: “Ricky has a wealth of knowledge and experience and I’m delighted that he will be heading up our scouting operation.

“He has a vast network of contacts and he knows just what it takes to be a successful footballer at this club, so I’m sure he will be a fantastic asset to our backroom team.”