Simon Grayson Officially Named Sunderland Manager

Simon Grayson has officially been named manager of Sunderland after the club's website confirmed the 47-year-old had ended his four-year tenure at Preston North End to move to the Stadium of Light. 

The Black Cats finished bottom of the 2016-17 Premier League and will be looking for bounce-back promotion after dropping to the Championship, but Grayson spoke of his pleasure to land the opportunity:

“I am delighted to come to Sunderland, a club with such wonderful history and tradition, and I’m excited by the opportunity to manage this club and I want to bring the good times back. Sunderland are so fortunate to have such tremendous support and I want to give these fans a team they can be proud of.”

Sky Sports' Adam Bate spoke positively of Grayson in a recent interview, with the tactician in no doubt as to the only route by which he'll realistically make his rise back to the top:

Grayson has penned a three-year deal at Sunderland, who are in a form of panic after the Sunderland Echo's Ross Gregory reported that owner Ellis Short is set to remain in the position after talks for a prospective takeover collapsed.

Short is not wanted as owner by sections of the Sunderland support, relating to one supporters' group attempting to raise an £85 million offer to purchase the club, per The Sun's David Coverdale.

Grayson's management of the team could be stunted if he has joined in the midst of a potential takeover should a more satisfying bid entice Short, but he'll hope for stability at a time where he needs to lay his own imprint on the team.

Aside from the playing staff, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie said Sunderland's backroom staff would remain largely unchanged:

Grayson has no experience managing above the second tier, but the Black Cats have appointed him in the hope his 12 years in England's lower divisions will account to this becoming his time to emerge.

His predecessor, David Moyes, has left at the Stadium of Light an assortment of past stars and square pegs in round holes, but Grayson will look to refine his assets into something with a little more shine.

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

Get the best sports content from the web and social in the new B/R app. Get the app and get the game.