NEW Sunderland head coach Tony Mowbray admits he has taken great pride in taking the reigns at the Stadium of Light and his background in the North-East makes him an ideal fit for the role.

The former Blackburn Rovers boss, who was born in Saltburn and played the majority of his career with Middlesbrough, was unveiled as the new Black Cats boss on Tuesday evening.

He successfully took charge of his first game as his side dismantled Rotherham United at the Stadium of Light winning 3-0 in front of 36,000 supporters. Last night's victory lifted them eighth in the Championship table.

Speaking after the game about why he decided to take the job, Mowbray said: "I'm from the North East, this is an industry town where people for centuries have grafted and got dirt under their fingernails, and these footballers have to work for the people who've paid money to come and play for them.

"We won't win every game, but as long as we show we care and that we're fighting for the people, that's all I ask of them.

"Huge credit to the owners, they are investing in young talent. Fast, agile, clever footballers. At the right moment, when you introduce them in the right moment of the game when maybe the physicality has gone out a little bit, they will hopefully light up the league."

Mowbray's next game in charge of the Black Cats will be a home from home for him as they make the short trip to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough next Monday.

The 58-year-old is a legend on Teesside but he remembers having affection for all of the teams in the North-East.

He added: “It’s amazing. All the club’s mean a lot to me in the North-East. I remember I was nine year old living in the council estate in Redcar and Sunderland won the FA Cup in 1973. Porterfield scores at the back stick against the mighty Leeds United and I remember jumping up and the teacher… we had the cane then in 1973 and you had to be careful!

“I’m an emotional guy really. I just love football and the North-East teams, everybody should want to play for or manage because of the emotion and the passion. Football is about the people and the people of the North-East, because of their working background, they bring emotion and passion to football and you have to feed it and feed off it as players.

“I’m delighted to be here. I have to say though my 13-year-old son who sits in the south stand at the Riverside Stadium isn’t too happy but he will come around I’m sure."