NIALL QUINN WILL reluctantly take over as Sunderland’s new manager today. Quinn, 39, had planned to concentrate on being the club’s chairman after leading a £10 million takeover, but he has agreed to take the job after Sam Allardyce, the Bolton Wanderers manager, became the latest big-name target to reject Sunderland’s interest.

Quinn will formally announce his decision after meeting the rest of the consortium today before the friendly away to Shelbourne. He could approach Peter Reid, the former Sunderland manager, to work as his assistant.

The rest of the consortium are believed to have put Quinn under intense pressure to accept the job in the wake of Allardyce’s decision. They were worried that the delay in appointing Mick McCarthy’s full-time successor would lead to a chaotic kick-off to the season for the relegated club. Sunderland have been able to bring in only one new signing in Kenny Cunningham, whose arrival was sanctioned by Quinn, and the future of Julio Arca, the defender, is shrouded in doubt.

It is believed that sluggish season-ticket sales are worrying the Irish businessmen behind the takeover. They are aware that Quinn will be a popular choice with fans of the club where he was an idol as a player for six years. He was a clear winner in a Wearside poll to identify the man that the supporters want to see in charge.

Now the new owners are banking on a rush of season-ticket renewals, which will give Quinn some buying power.

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