Sunderland turn to former Rangers chief to help transform finances

MARTIN BAIN, the former Rangers chief executive, has been appointed as the new CEO of Premier League side Sunderland. The 47-year-old will make the move to the Stadium of Light in July after quitting his post at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Bain was a member of the SPL board during his time at Ibrox and was a key figure of Sir David Murray’s regime. He was appointed to the Ibrox board in 2001 and held the position of chief executive for six years before he resigned following the arrival of Craig Whyte. Bain moved to Israel in September, 2014, and will now return to Britain to take up a key role with the Black Cats.

“It is a great honour and privilege to become CEO at a club with Sunderland’s rich history and heritage,” Bain said. “I have been fortunate to be a part of a team that has brought great success to two clubs with passionate supporter bases and I am excited by the opportunity to do the same at Sunderland.

“Sunderland fans are recognised as some of the most loyal and passionate in football. The backing they gave the team in the two recent vital home games played an integral part in the victories.”

The Sunderland post has been vacant since Margaret Byrne stepped down in the wake of the Adam Johnson scandal that engulfed the club earlier this year.

Sunderland chairman Ellis Short said: “Martin will strive to transform our financial performances, which we acknowledge must improve significantly, into a stable and successful model.”