Sunderland’s new boss looks for an injection of ‘heart and soul’

NEW Sunderland boss Simon Grayson has called on his Sunderland players to “bring some heart and soul back to the area”, following his appointment last night.

Grayson signed a three-year deal to become Sunderland boss on Thursday evening, ending a stay of more than four years as Preston North End manager.

The 47-year-old brought assistant manager Glyn Snodin with him to the Stadium of Light, while first-team coach Robbie Stockdale and goalkeeper coach Adrian Tucker remain in their posts.

He gets to work today, before jetting off for a pre-season training camp in Austria, and he admits he is excited to implement his ideas on the players

“It’s been a whirlwind, as you mentioned, but first thing I’ll meet most of the staff, meet the players and get out onto the grass to get some work done,” Grayson told safc. com.

“I can show the staff how I work. I can see how they work and there’s no better place to do that than abroad, and we also have to make sure we’re all together because whether it’s the football staff, the administrative staff or the players we’re all in this together.”

“We need to make sure the players are fit and ready for the first game, so they’ll have a tough pre-season.”

Sunderland kick off their Championship campaign in five weeks’ time when Derby County visit. And Grayson insists his players will be ready for the challenge and will give the supporters something to be proud of again.

“I know Adrian Lamb, our head of performance, and Robbie Stockdale and Adrian Tucker, so it’s going to be full on for the next five weeks and we have to be prepared for the challenge of the Championship.

“It’s a demanding league but the players have got to bring some heart and soul back to this area, while giving the supporters something to be proud of again.”