Chris Coleman to be confirmed new Sunderland manager after quitting Wales job following six years in
CHRIS COLEMAN has quit Wales to become the new manager of struggling Sunderland.
The 47-year-old is set to be officially appointed by the Black Cats by the end of the weekend as he brings his memorable spell as the national team boss to an end.
And he is due to be in charge of the Championship club by Sunday after agreeing a £750,000-a-year deal.
It emerged earlier this week that Coleman was interested in what many believe is a poisoned-chalice job.
But despite going through six managers in as many years at the Stadium of Light, Coleman has informed the Welsh FA of his decision to move to the North East.
His first match in dug-out for Sunderland will be for their trip to Aston Villa on Tuesday.
The capture of Coleman is a massive coup for Sunderland after they made him their No1 target to replace Simon Grayson earlier this week.
Black Cats chief executive Martin Bain had identified a number of men he wanted to discuss the job with and he held talks with Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill over the position.
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Ex-Rangers gaffer Ally McCoist and Barnsley's Paul Heckinbottom were also in the frame.
Sunderland are currently rock bottom of the second tier and are staring a second straight relegation in the face.
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They have only recorded one win from their opening 16 matches and have picked up just ten points.
The Wearsiders will be hoping Coleman can sprinkle some magic into their campaign in similar fashion as he did to the Welsh.
He guided the Dragons to their first tournament since 1958 when they qualified for Euro 2016 and then shocked the world as his side reached the semi-finals at the tournament in France.
However, Wales failed to replicate that form in their World Cup campaign and have missed out on the showpiece in Russia next summer.
His contract with the FAW ran out at the end of the year and he has decided that the prospect of reviving Sunderland, who have tasked him with winning promotion within 18 months, was the right moment to depart.
Caretaker Robbie Stockdale will remain in charge for the Black Cats as they face Millwall at home.
Should they fail to win they will have set a new English record of 20 home matches without victory.
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