O’Neill Is The Black Cat Who Gets The Cream

Martin O’Neill will replace Steve Bruce as Sunderland manager as he finally manages the club he has supported all his life.O’Neill has edged out Mark Hughes who was also interested in the job and makes his return after 18 months on the sidelines.

Interestingly he is the third Irish manager to be in charge since the Stadium Of light became the club’s home after spells by Mick McCarthy, who will be in the opposing dugout this weekend, and Roy Keane.

He inherits a club in serious freefall with just one win in 13 league matches this season.
O’Neill, 59, a former Nottingham Forest player, built his managerial reputation at Wycombe Wanderers before successful spells at Leicester City and Celtic.

He joined Villa in 2006 and led them to three straight sixth-placed finishes in the Premier League and the Carling Cup final before resigning before the start of the 2010-11 season.

He is understood to have met Sunderland’s owner and chairman Ellis Short on Thursday evening in London to negotiate a deal.
One of the key aspects of the agreement is said to be O’Neill’s agreement to the budgetary constraints at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland’s next fixture is a Premier League game against Wolves on Sunday but O’Neill is expected to take charge after that game.

Bob "The Voice" McKenzie Twitter: @BobTheVoice About: