JACK ROSS REMINDS ME OF SIR ALEX FERGUSON, SAYS TONY FITZPATRICK
JACK Ross is in the Sir Alex Ferguson mould and will take Sunderland back to the Premier League, according to Tony Fitzpatrick.
The St Mirren chief executive was involved in the recruitment process when Saints, struggling in the Scottish Championship in October 2016, were looking for a new manager.
The decision was made to bring in rookie boss Ross, who had had less than a year in charge of Alloa Athletic. It proved to be an inspired decision as the former St Mirren defender helped the club maintain their second tier status.
Last term, Ross led Saints to the Scottish Championship title in his first full season at the helm, earning the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year accolade in the process.
It was no wonder clubs south of the border started to take an interest in Ross’ exploits and the 42-year-old made the decision to take over at Sunderland last summer after Ipswich dithered.
After back-to-back relegations, the Black Cats have impressed this term. They’re in the thick of the promotion battle and into the Checkatrade Trophy quarter-finals, just two games from Wembley.
But Ross’ success with Sunderland has come as no surprise to St Mirren legend Fitzpatrick, who was made captain by
Ferguson as a teenager at Love Street.
Ferguson led Saints to the Scottish First Division title in 1976-77 and went on to establish them in the top-flight before being sacked after falling out with the club’s board.
Fitzpatrick said: “You knew right away that Alex x Ferguson was going to be ea a massive success – he had d an aura – but the nearest I have seen to him in my life is Jack. It’s the detail, the way he treats people.
“Jack Ross is an incredible manager and, like Sir Alex, a great person. Sunderland are so lucky to have him and he will take them to the Premier League – I have no doubts. “It’s a massive club, but the way he’s settled in there has been very impressive. Hes He’s got his plans in pla place and he’s very engaging – he builds a club and community. The highest com compliment I can give him is to t say that he’s in the mould of Sir Alex Ferguson.” Glasg Glasgow-born Fitzpatrick spent t the bulk of his career with St Mirren, though En English fans may rem member the midfielde er from his two-year st stint with Bristol City at the end of the 70s and start of t the 80s.
That was the last time the Robins were in the top flight and Fitzpatrick would love to see them get back there and mix it with the elite again.
“I loved my time at Bristol City,” said Fitzpatrick. “I played under Alan Dicks, Bobby Houghton and Roy Hodgson and I had a fantastic time.
“Bristol has a special place in my heart. I captained the club, which was a fantastic achievement for me under Roy Hodgson, and it was a special time for me and my family.
“It’s the first result I look out for and I hope to get back to visit one day. If they can get to the Premier League, it would be great. It’s a massive club with massive support and they should be in the Premier League.”