Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Sbragia to head Sunderland scouts

Ricky Sbragia
Sbragia led Sunderland to Premier League safety last season

Sunderland have appointed former manager Ricky Sbragia as the club's new chief scout.

Sbragia, 53, took over from Roy Keane as Sunderland boss in December but after steering the Black Cats to Premier League safety, he stepped down.

Steve Bruce has since taken charge at the Stadium of Light and has begun reshaping his backroom staff.

"Ricky has a wealth of knowledge and experience, I'm delighted he is heading up our scouting operation," said Bruce.

"He has a vast network of contacts and he knows just what it takes to be a successful footballer at this club, so I'm sure he will be a fantastic asset to our backroom team."

606: DEBATE

Sbragia had spells as youth team and reserve team coach after joining Sunderland in 1994 before spending time on the coaching staff at Manchester United and Bolton.

The Scot, who returned to Sunderland as first-team coach in 2007, will take up his new post this week.

Reserve team coach Neil Bailey, who assisted Sbragia during his spell in charge, has left the club, making way for Bruce's own coaching team which includes Eric Black, Nigel Spink and Keith Bertschin.


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