Sunderland SOS

No miracles but plenty of hard work, vows McCarthy

SUNDERLAND, England (Reuters) -- New Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy said Wednesday he could not promise miracles but would be giving his all to save the Premier League's bottom club from relegation.

The former Ireland manger, whose public feud with Irish captain Roy Keane marred the Republic's 2002 World Cup campaign and led to the manager's resignation last year, was appointed on Wednesday to replace Howard Wilkinson, who was sacked Monday.

McCarthy, who has signed an "open ended, rolling contract," will get his first taste of action in Saturday's home match against fellow-struggler Bolton Wanderers.

"We are not expecting miracles but those who come on Saturday will be looking for a good start," McCarthy told a news conference at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.

"I'm not saying I am going to keep them up but I will give my best efforts and am looking forward to the challenge.

"It would be a wonderful achievement and a remarkable achievement if we did stay up. We will be starting work this afternoon and everyone will be giving their all."

McCarthy was linked with the job the last time it became vacant in October 2002 after the sacking of Peter Reid but now faces an almost impossible task to keep Sunderland in the top flight.

Well respected

It is bottom of the league with 19 points from 29 games, seven points adrift of safety. West Bromwich Albion has 21, West Ham United and Bolton 26 and Birmingham City 32. Sunderland plays all four in the next five weeks -- but also has to take on Arsenal, Newcastle United and Chelsea.

However, Sunderland vice-chairman John Fickling said the appointment was not all about trying to avoid the drop this season.

"This decision is not about the last nine games or our Premier League survival -- although this is important. It has been taken for the long term," he said.

"We believe that today's appointment will be a crucial turning point and that Mick will halt the club's decline and revive our fortunes on the pitch. I hope all supporters will get behind him and the team.

"To say our situation is very difficult is a bit of an understatement but hopefully this change will bring some much-need confidence and revitalize the team.

"By appointing Mick now, we are giving him the opportunity to get to know the players and the club and form a long-term development strategy for the summer and beyond.

Good response

McCarthy, a tough center half in his playing days who captained Ireland to the World Cup quarterfinals in 1990, already knows several of the Sunderland squad from his international work.

Jason McAteer, Kevin Kilbane and Phil Babb all played under him for the Republic, with McAteer outspoken in his support for the manager in his row with Keane on the eve of the World Cup.

"I'd like to think I will get a good response from them, I always have in the past," McCarthy said.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting everybody and working at the club.

"I went through the players and I didn't realize how many internationals there are. There are good players at the place."

McCarthy said that he was also impressed by the club, which he described as a "proper football club."

"Everyone connected to it has a passion to see it do well.

"Everything about the club is right, except of course the results on the field. That's my brief -- that's down to me and the players.

 

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