AFTER so far failing to reach agreement with Niall Quinn's consortium, Sunderland have had to accept no permanent manager will be in place for the players' return for pre-season training on Monday.

Quinn held further talks with the current board yesterday and there are hopes an announcement will be made regarding the takeover by the end of the day.

But, given the length of time the two parties have had to wrap things up, youth coach Kevin Richardson has been told to take first team training next week.

Richardson assisted Kevin Ball in his caretaker capacity for the final ten games of Sunderland's ill-fated and record-breaking relegation from the Premiership.

Ball chose to be overlooked for the temporary position this time around.

A statement released yesterday read: "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 June 30, the club has confirmed 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."

Richardson has been on Wearside as a coach for the last two seasons.

* Sunderland's game against West Brom at the Stadium of Light has been put back by two days from August 26 to August 28.