Donald has big plans for Black Cats
STEWART Donald is confident he can provide the next Sunderland manager with a competitive budget as he awaits approval for his takeover bid.
The Eastleigh chairman has agreed a deal on behalf on an international consortium with current owner Ellis Short and is ready to assume control at the Stadium of Light once he has received the green light from the English Football League.
He has admitted his excitement at what lies ahead as he looks to revive a club which has dropped from the Premier League to League One in the space of two seasons.
In an interview with BBC Radio Solent, Donald said: “I’m confident that I can give Sunderland a competitive budget. It will take a bit of work. I can’t really comment, but I have to say, I’m hopeful that I can get through the EFL process. I do white collar jobs, there’s nothing in my history that says I shouldn’t pass that.
“I’ve got the funds required to give that a go, hopefully they’ll see that as I go through the process. Who wouldn’t be excited about Sunderland? It’s a challenge, I can’t say anything about it other than to say that it is a big job.”
Donald, who has put Eastleigh up for sale, can make no hard and fast decisions until he receives approval, but wheels are already in motion as the club looks for a replacement for manager Chris Coleman. NEWPORT County slipped to a narrow defeat in their penultimate League Two fixture at alreadyrelegated Chesterfield thanks to Kristian Dennis’ second-half header.
Home keeper Aaron Ramsdale was kept busy in the first half, needing to be alert to keep out a couple of Josh Sheehan efforts at goal while Sheehan also put another effort over the bar.
The visitors were looking threatening while Ramsdale was called into action again to palm Aaron Collins’ effort from the edge of the box out for a corner.
Just before the break Padraig Amond’s goalbound effort from a tight angle was cleared off the line by ex-Newport loanee Sid Nelson – who then injured himself as he collided with a post and had to be substituted.
The hosts improved after the break and it was they who grabbed the lead on 70 minutes when Louis Dodds’ deep cross was met at the back post by Dennis who headed home.
Chesterfield had chances to make the game safe with Newport keeper Joe Day denying Dodds and then Dennis.
Newport finish the season at Carlisle on Saturday knowing a victory would take them on to 66 points – which would be a record tally since returning to the Football League in 2013.