I can make a difference at Sunderland

CHRIS Coleman has insisted he has no regrets about walking away from Wales and into a second-tier relegation battle.

Coleman returns to Cardiff City Stadium this weekend – the scene of some of his history-making nights as national boss – when he brings his survival-scrapping Sunderland side to face Cardiff.

The Euro 2016 hero quit the Wales job in November after failing to agree a new deal, leaving the FAW to embark on a search for a successor that they hope to reach a conclusion within the week. But the shock came when he accepted the offer to take over at the Stadium of Light, with the fallen North East giants bottom of the Championship.

Despite doubling their points tally in ten games – and breaking a yearlong run without a home win – Sunderland remain at the foot of the table and two points from safety heading into Saturday’s early afternoon clash with Neil Warnock’s promotion-chasing Bluebirds.

Yet Coleman says he stands by the reasons he opted to make the surprise switch, remains adamant he can turn things around, and maintains he has no regrets over swapping Gareth Bale and co. for a battle to avoid League One.

Put to him many have questioned the sense in his decision, Coleman told Sky Sports: “I can see why people would think that, but I see Sunderland with their fanbase of almost 50,000 supporters if we get it right, I see a great stadium and a fantastic training ground.

“I know what football means to the people in the North East, I do. I’ve