Players back Sbragia to take over Cats hot-seat

The managerial field will reduce by one today when Sam Allardyce is formally unveiled as Blackburn’s new boss, with Niall Quinn having opted not to offer the former Newcastle manager a position at the Stadium of Light.

The failure of Allardyce’s candidature has helped clear the way for Sbragia, who will take charge of his third game since replacing Roy Keane on a temporary basis when Sunderland travel to Hull in two days time.

The former York and Darlington centre-half has performed superbly so far, guiding the Black Cats to a creditable one-goal defeat at Manchester United before overseeing last weekend’s thumping 4-0 win over West Brom.

Those results have seen Sbragia emerge as a viable contender for a permanent managerial post, with most bookmakers now making him a clear favourite to succeed Keane on a full-time basis.

With Niall Quinn insisting he is still to identify his preferred candidate, Sbragia is making a compelling case for a permanent promotion.

And his chances will only be enhanced by Fulop’s claim that Sunderland’s players are desperate to see him installed in the post.

“If it was up to the team to decide who the next manager was, we would give the job to Ricky straight away,” said the goalkeeper, who has proved a key performer in the absence of the injured Craig Gordon.

“He has been brilliant for us since he took over.

“The fact that he knows how everything works has made it easier for him to step in, and that’s why the whole thing has worked so well.

“He knows the squad inside out. He has his own views on football and maybe we’ve all benefited from that.

“Everyone in the team would back him to do the job permanently, but it is not our decision.

“It is up to the board to decide and we’re looking forward to hearing their decision.”

Sbragia continues to claim he is happier in a coaching role than a managerial position, but it is hard to imagine the 52-year-old turning Quinn down if he was to be offered the role of permanent manager.

He would be likely to retain Neil Bailey and Dwight Yorke in their current coaching positions, but would also be allowed to bolster his backroom staff to lessen the workload that would be placed on his shoulders.

A full-time managerial position would necessitate a change in his relationship with Sunderland’s players, but Fulop claims that process is already under way. Sbragia has made a conscious decision to put some distance between himself and his squad, and that has helped earn a respect and admiration that will stand him in good stead should he be appointed as Keane’s permanent successor.

“Ricky has changed his role, but that has not been a problem for any of us,” said Fulop. “When he was appointed as the caretaker, we knew that things would change.

“You cannot make as many jokes with him any more, but it’s not like everything goes out of the window. He still has a great sense of humour and we still enjoy working with him as much.

“There hasn’t been a great change – it’s just that he is acting more like a manager now. He is the boss instead of being one of the lads, and we all respect that.

“He’s a popular man – I think the whole dressing room loves him – and everyone at the club is happy to work with him in charge.”

Sbragia’s next chance to press his claims comes at the KC Stadium on Saturday, and with last weekend’s win having been insufficient to lift Sunderland out of the relegation places, Fulop admits that a repeat performance is essential.

“We need to be positive on Saturday,” he added. “We have to maintain the form and energy we showed against Manchester United and West Brom. We have started to turn things around, but it is important we keep things going against Hull.”

■ George McCartney has been ruled out for up to two months after undergoing surgery on both feet yesterday.

The left-back has been sidelined with the problem since the 5-0 defeat at Chelsea on November 1.

■ Graham Kavanagh has extended his loan spell at League One side Carlisle United until January 3.