limpper

23 May 09, 18:09

Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia has revealed he has been texting friend and Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, asking the Red Devils to do the Black Cats a favour this weekend.

The Wearsiders host Chelsea on the final day of the season knowing a victory against Guus Hiddink's side will guarantee their league survival.

However, should they fail to do, all eyes and ears will turn to Villa Park and the KC Stadium, where fellow strugglers Newcastle and Hull will be bidding to avoid the drop against Aston Villa and champions Manchester United respectively.

And Sbragia has admitted he has been sharing texts with fellow countryman and United midfielder Fletcher, who is set to feature in a much-changed line-up for the Old Trafford outfit as he is suspended for next Wednesday's Champions League final in Rome.

"I sent Fletch a few messages on Monday and he said they are confident about Hull. The fact is you never come up against an easy Manchester United team," he said in The Sun.

"I remember years ago, Man U came here and people said it was their reserves and they beat us 3-0 with a young team.

"Man United will play a team that can beat Hull, it's as simple as that. Alex won't put out a team of youth players, I will tell you that now.

"Whatever team he puts out, I think it will be enough... hopefully.

"They have got a lot of depth in their squad and some very good young players as well. They will totally believe they can win the game and that's all we can ask for."

ChingAlvin

23 May 09, 18:52

Managers are allowed to do that, as in ask players to do him a favor?..

limpper

23 May 09, 18:56

can, he's doing it as a friend mah

no $ or anything in exchange, so i guess it's ok

emman-7-

25 May 09, 08:31

if he's asking the guy to win, which is his responsibility to do anyway, what's wrong with that? cool though =D

dinky1409

25 May 09, 08:35

abbas saad was said to be match fixing bcos someone paid him to score a goal or something right? not own goal

limpper

25 May 09, 14:20

Chelsea boss Hiddink hails positive Sunderland supporters

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink praised Sunderland's fans after winning at the Stadium of Light yesterday.

Hiddink told chelseafc.com: "It was good to hear after the last whistle the public applauding a team losing at home, that's rather curious but I understand it because of the salvation for the Premier League.

"Tremendous atmosphere, it is a good club, tremendous support applauding not winning. It's a signal the people support it very much and it's nice to have that experience.

"I think the approach from our side was serious and it should be like that. It was an honest game, because we knew they had to get one point for being safe, although you could expect other favourable results for Sunderland elsewhere.

"We had a good game, some periods a little bit sloppy when they made it 1-1 but overall I think we dominated control of the game rather well."

limpper

25 May 09, 14:34

Sbragia stands down as Sunderland manager

* Sbragia stands down after keeping Sunderland up

* Chairman Quinn offers him "job for life" (updating with job offer, quotes, adds byline)

By Mike Collett

LONDON, May 24 (Reuters) - Ricky Sbragia stood down as Sunderland manager on Sunday after his side narrowly escaped relegation on the final day of the Premier League season.

He was immediately praised by chairman Niall Quinn for keeping the club in the top tier of English soccer.

Quinn told BBC Radio Five Live: "We are elated here today. Ricky stood up when I needed him. The players were in a bad way and were in the bottom three when he took over.

"He has been absolutely superb, was given one task to keep Sunderland in the Premier League and he has achieved it.

"He should be toasted tonight and has given this club a lifeline. He has agreed to work behind the scenes with me and kick this club on. He has got a job for life at this club."

Sbragia, a former Manchester United reserve team coach, took over after Roy Keane resigned in December and confirmed his decision to stand down to media following a 3-2 defeat at home to Chelsea which ultimately did not prove too costly.

"I felt the time has come for them to have a bigger name," Sbragia told Radio Five Live.

"I could have been selfish and stayed in the job but I have a lot of belief in Sunderland. I've been here for the last 13 or 14 years and felt it was the right thing to do. I had a brief to keep the club up and I have done that.

"The club can move on and be a threat, but I think they need a bigger name."

Sunderland, who entered the final day of the season in danger of the drop, ended fifth from bottom on 36 points, two above north-east rivals Newcastle United who went down after a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa. Their other north-east rivals Middlesbrough were also relegated after losing 2-1 at West Ham.

omgukilledkenny

25 May 09, 14:38

Sunderland's pitch ytd damn nice sia.

limpper

25 May 09, 20:27

Celtic boss Strachan favourite for Sunderland job

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan is emerging as favourite for the vacant manager's job at Sunderland.

The Mirror says Frank Rijkaard, Martin Jol and Slaven Bilic have all been linked with the job but Sunderland could be ready to make a move for Celtic boss Strachan in the next few days.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is keen to land the experienced Strachan to put the Black Cats on the map and his hopes were raised when Celtic missed out on the Scottish title yesterday.

:
Strachan may be interested in a return to the Premier League after his trophy-laden stint in Glasgow - and the money on offer for new players should appeal to him.

Sbragia will stay on in a coaching capacity but Strachan is expected to bring his trusted No.2 Gary Pendry who has been with him at Celtic and previously at Southampton and Coventry.

marcteng

25 May 09, 23:41

why would strachan quit celtic and join a relegation candidate Sunderland? at celtic, he is fighting with rangers for SPL title and cups and also play in CL matches. even if sunderland and hull were not relegated this season, they will join the newcomers as relegation candidates for next season, plus portsmouth, blackburn and maybe bolton.

sand king

26 May 09, 06:52

Frank Rijkaard will never go to Sunderland haha!