Black Cats need boss ‘to inspire’

SUNDERLAND need another Denis Smith – the manager who sparked the club’s rise the last time it sank to the third tier.

Ex-defender Gary Bennett has watched as the club suffered the same fate which afflicted the side he played for in 1987.

“Sunderland has been a laughing stock, finishing bottom of a league for the second season running. It’s a joke for a club of its size,” said Bennett, now a Sunderland match pundit for BBC Radio Newcastle.

With chairman Ellis Short having sold out to a consortium headed by Eastleigh owner Stewart Donald, Bennett insists the most important decision now centres on appointing the right man to replace the sacked Chris Coleman (above).

“In the summer after we went down, we brought in a manager, Denis Smith, who had the vision to win promotion at the first attempt,” said Bennett.

“We had a few young players coming through and he added some experience. He brought in Marco Gabbiadini who was a natural goalscorer and all this created a good team spirit from the off.

“Sunderland now need a modern Denis Smith, who knows that division and how to get out of it.

“Denis created a buzz – there was no time to be depressed.”