IT has been just another quiet week in the crazy world of Sunderland AFC, it

Monday saw Stewart Donald’s takeover confirmed and the new owner conduct his first press conference. He didn’t rule out bringing Chris Coleman back in as boss, while fellow director Charlie Methven declared the “p***-take party stops now”.

Fast forward to Friday, and Donald was announcing St Mirren’s Jack Ross as the new Black Cats’ manager.

While not a household name in the mold of Sam Allardyce, David Moyes, or Coleman, Ross is a refreshing choice with a track record of turning around a troubled club, and reconnecting it with disillusioned fans.

Long-suffering supporters have had too many disappointments and seen too many supposed-fresh starts in recent years to declare the Donald-Methven-Ross era a bright new dawn.

However the attitude shown by all three over the last five days is promising. All are realistic about the challenges they face and crucially, the budgets available to the club.

They have been no wild promises of a Premier League return within a handful of seasons, or big-money signings to escape League One. Instead there have been statements recognising the size of the task ahead, pledges to work with fans, and an open, media-friendly approach.

It is very, very early days for the club’s new leadership, but going into the summer, at least Sunderland fans can now at least hope of better times to come, and after the last, horrible few seasons, there’s a lot to be said for that.