RAFA: I WILL BE HAPPY IF HAY STAYS
SUNDERLAND boss Jack Ross insists he’s not worried about his job prospects – despite talk of another takeover at the Stadium of Light.
And the Scot insists he is focused solely on tomorrow’s League One play-off semi-final second leg at Portsmouth, with the Black Cats holding a 1-0 lead from Saturday’s game thanks to Chris Maguire’s goal (above).
Chairman Stewart Donald is understood to have met investors keen to take a majority stake in the club, just 12 months after his consortium bought out Ellis Short.
It raises questions over the future of Ross, who replaced Chris Coleman following relegation last year.
The Scot says he has been kept informed of developments, but claims he is more concerned about what happens on the pitch than off it.
“I’ve had conversations with them, but I haven’t chased for any clarification,” he said.
“I just work on the basis that, if there’s anything important to tell me, they will.
“I’ve had a good relationship with Stewart from day one and that continues to be the case.
“That side of the club is his business and, hopefully, if there is anything important they need to tell me, I’ll find out.
“But I’ve heard nothing that changes my role.
“I could lose my job because we’re not winning games or I can lose it for other reasons. I can’t control that.
“What I can control is how I do the job and I take pride in what I do.”
Whoever is running the club – and Donald wants to remain part of any future regime – Ross’ position will be strengthened if Sunderland defend their lead against Pompey and then win at Wembley on May 26 against either Charlton or Doncaster.
Aiden McGeady, who scored twice against the same opposition in the Checkatrade Trophy final, was forced to pull out of the first leg just before kick-off when painkilling injections on his foot injury failed to have the desired effect.
He faces another fitness test, but Ross is confident the Black Cats can win with or without their star man.
“We’ll see how he feels, but it has to be a sensible decision,” he added.
“Portsmouth will hope he’s missing, but we won the first game without him and didn’t manage to beat them in previous games against them, however well he played.
“Even though we know how big a player he is for us, there are a lot of different facets to winning a game over and above one player.”
The Sunderland boss also welcomed the decision to overturn the red card that Alim Ozturk received at the weekend, allowing the Turkish centre-back to play tomorrow.
“I said, post-match, it was an incorrect decision, so I’m pleased common sense has prevailed,” said Ross. RAFA BENITEZ has told wantaway midfielder Isaac Hayden if he does leave this summer it will be on Newcastle’s terms.
But the Toon chief (below) has still not given up hope of the pair both being at St James’ Park next season, despite Hayden seeking a move for personal reasons.
He was outstanding in the second half of the campaign, fuelling Benitez’s belief that he can play for England. But family circumstances mean the former Arsenal youngster is keen to return south.
He said his goodbyes to Newcastle fans and team-mates after the 4-0 win at Fulham, but Benitez said: “I will be the first one really pleased if I stay and he stays.
“He’s a person who has his own issues with family that we know about.
“I told him that he could be the holding midfielder for England, if he listened to all the things I tell him.”