Quinn: I missed out on Van Gaal Saturday, May 24, 2014 By John Fallon One of Niall Quinnâs greatest feats as Sunderland chairman was recruiting Martin OâNeill but he admitted yesterday an audacious bid to prise Louis van Gaal to Wearside wasnât so fruitful. It was the summer of 2009 and the Black Cats were still reeling from the fallout of Roy Keaneâs mid-season exit. Whilst Ricky Spragia had finished Keaneâs job by of keeping Sunderland in the Premier League, a new figurehead was needed and Quinnâs mind wandered towards the Lowlands. âI was cheeky enough before appointing Steve Bruce to ring up Van Gaal,â explained Quinn, these days a pundit for Sky Sports and on duty tomorrow for Irelandâs friendly against Turkey. âHe was on a sabbatical at the time. I think his wife was on my side because he was home a lot and she encouraged me to keep ringing him! It was a brave call for us to make to try to lure someone like that. He was very courteous and didnât dismiss the idea. âOur owner, Ellis Short, would have backed it. He was 100% behind it if it had come off. âThen a massive club came along and blew us out of the water at the time. But, as they say in the north- east of England: âShy ones get nowtâ so at least we had a go.â
Should have brought Mancini here and backed him to the hilt, we could have won the league twice and the f a cup. Come on Ellis get this club on the move, we need BIG signings start with Bale, I am not joking as he as won the champions league, he will want to do it again with us !, but I have been drinking tonight lads !.
