Sunderland AFC has announced today that Niall Quinn is to spearhead International Development on behalf of the club. This new remit means that Quinn will relinquish his day-to-day Chairman's duties as he focuses on developing Sunderland's profile and business interests overseas. To allow Niall sufficient time to devote to the challenge, owner Ellis Short has agreed to take up the reins as Chairman. Speaking about the changes, Niall said: "This is a great opportunity for us to make the club stronger and I'm delighted that Ellis has agreed to support the plan. "He'll be a fantastic Chairman and taking this role on speaks volumes about his ambition for the club." Ellis Short said: "I can assure our fans that it's the same group of people continuing to lead the club. "With financial fair play rules coming into effect it is essential for the long-term success of the club that we develop interests on a global scale and there's no-one better than Niall to sell the ethos of Sunderland to an international audience. He has been keen to drive this change for some time and I agree that it's the way forward for us now." "Assuming the position of Chairman is a great honour and I will treat the role as guardian of this club with the utmost respect." SAFC's Chief Executive, Margaret Byrne, added: "Niall is widely known and hugely respected throughout the world of football. His profile, coupled with his vast knowledge of the game and the business, means he is perfectly placed to bring Sunderland to the forefront internationally." "This new challenge begins immediately as he represents the club at the prestigious Leaders in Football conference in London this week, after which he travels to Korea with Steve Bruce and Mike Farnan, International Marketing Director. Trips to territories such as Vietnam, India, Abu Dhabi and Africa are also taking place in the coming months."
Understandable, someone was for the chop and Quinn did the noble thing and took the blame for bringing in a manager who's limited at best. Bruce next.
Sounds a bit like "kicked upstairs". I repect what Ellis Short has done for the club in a business sense. I question this move, I am not sure it is in the clubs interest.
Gyan move makes a little more sense now ? Is Mr Short building a brand/business before a football team? If he is makes sense , and on reflection would change my earlier comment to Bruce here for a while now!!! confusion or what
To me this says: Short "I have pumped millions into this business and its going up the s**t. I am going to take more control of day to day things...." For me this is bad news on Bruce, as now Quinn has no more say in the managers position.
Im in 2 minds about this......... maybe he thinks quinn sold HIM the club, now he should go sell it to the rest of the world ?
I personally think this is a great move, when has an ex-footballer/chairman ever been a roaring success, I cant think of any, and Quinn has got the gift of selling Ice to Eskimos. Maybe I am just old fashioned but i do think the man with the cash, should also be the chairman of the club, so I cant really see anything wrong with this move at all, and at least its not Quinn has gone to Man City to replace Cooke, so Short is taking over as Chairman.
This is a cultivated press release aimed at changing things without shouting out loud and doing anything to destabilise the ship. The only thing that surprises me is that it's taken so long. Quinn has been offered essentially a "dignified exit" for ****ing up with Sbragia and then Bruce. He is due that and can walk out with head held high. He will probably disappear in the next 6 months to "explore other opportunities." etc. Thanks Niall you always gave your best and over loyalty to this failure Bruce has cost you.
Well I expect that another Chairman will be brought in in due course and SNQ will move on Citeh? It seems SBs time is also limited and it looks as if SNQ is carrying the can for SB not being the man he was expected to be. SB next we can but hope
I reckon this is the last nail in the coffin for Bruce. Since last season i heard rumours that Short has never been a Bruce fan and Quinny was the only one keeping Bruce's job alive. At the weekend i also heard rumours that Short is now wanting full control of the club. With SNQ stepping down today it seems these rumours maybe come reality.
Taking into consideration recent events. Perhaps the big hug between Quinn and Bruce on Saturday after the match was their way of acknowledging all was now over?
Dont think so. Quinn has stated a couple of times that he didnt fancy being chairman forever, and he obviously relishes the sales side of things. How on earth does this mean that Bruce will be sacked? do people think quinn is going to leave him in Korea or something?
