STUNNED Sunderland fans were in open revolt last night following the appointment of Howard Wilkinson as manager.

The jubilation felt by many at the sacking of Peter Reid on Monday turned to anger yesterday that chairman Bob Murray had failed to make a more inspired choice.

Murray was booed by a group of supporters as he left the Stadium of Light after unveiling the former Football Association technical director as manager and Steve Cotterill as his assistant A handful even demanded Murray's resignation.

Last night, one poll by Talk Sport found that almost 80 per cent of voters felt Black Cats fans would prefer Reid over the 58-year-old Yorkshireman.

Supporters inundated radio stations and websites complaining of Wilkinson's dour style of football while in charge at Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday.

A group of 100 fans were waiting outside the Stadium of Light after Murray announced he had handed Wilkinson his first job in club football since being dismissed by Leeds in 1996.

One witness, who asked not to be named, said: "There was a lot of booing directed at Murray. Fans tried to talk to him but he just carried on walking towards his car.

"Some fans began shouting at him and one or two were telling him he should resign."

But Wilkinson said yesterday that he relished the challenge. "I can't remember the last time I felt as excited as I do at this moment," he said.

"This is a club with a proud tradition, huge and faithful support, and facilities that will be second to none when the new training ground and academy is built.

"I've had quite a few phone calls about managers' jobs during my time at the FA, but ten seconds into the call from Bob Murray on Monday night I knew this was the right job.

He is joined on Wearside by 38-year-old Cotterill, whose first managerial job was at Cheltenham Town before he took over at Stoke City in the summer. "With my experience and Steve's undoubted ability, I see bright and exciting times ahead for Sunderland Football Club and its supporters," added Wilkinson.

"But for the time being, the objective is very clear. We've got to get away from the relegation area as quickly as possible."

Murray was impressed with his new recruits' coaching credentials - Wilkinson and Cotterill are among only a dozen people in this country to hold the UEFA Pro Licence.

He said: "We wanted a strong and complementary partnership that has both experience and achievement linked to technical expertise and new ideas."

However, one season ticket holder, who has followed Sunderland for 17 years, said: "I just wish the club showed the same passion as me and the rest of the fans.

"I would rather have kept Reidy if I had known Wilkinson was coming."

Another die-hard fan said: "To me it totally stinks. They might as well have appointed Daffy Duck and Donald Duck."

Peter Daykin, editor of Sunderland fanzine Sex and Chocolate, was less pessimistic.

"Just about everyone can remember Howard Wilkinson at Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday and it wasn't pretty to watch, but a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, and we can but hope.

"The only way is up and it could be the start of a new positive era."

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