RICKY SBRAGIA has been told he has “a job for life” by chairman Niall Quinn after the Scot last night announced he had stood down as Sunderland manager. Sbragia is expected to take up a player recruitment role at the club as Quinn steps up his search for a new manager.

The chairman has already confirmed that the next boss must be capable of changing the mentality of the players who narrowly escaped relegation.

Majority shareholder Ellis Short was at the Stadium of Light yesterday and his growing affinity with the club was underlined by the fact that his son, Ellis junior, was the Sunderland mascot for the day.

Led out before kick-off by club captain Dean Whitehead, young Ellis joined his dad to watch a 3-2 defeat to Chelsea that ended with the home supporters celebrating like they’d won the league. It must have been a confusing scene for the youngster, who was yesterday given an insight in to the tribal nature that pervades North-East football.

By avoiding relegation, Quinn will be hoping that Short will now complete his takeover at the club and attempt to instil a winning culture that sees relegation dogfights become a thing of the past.

“Ricky did his best for the club but as he said so himself it needs a bigger name to change the mentality,” confirmed Quinn. “Ricky has given this club a lifeline. We have to catch our breath. I’ve got to go and see Ellis (Short) and talk to him. He has been superb and hopefully we can kick on from here.

“We have to dust ourselves down and get going again. We haven’t sat down to think about a list of potential managers but we do need a big name here to change the mentality of the club.

“We have a lot of talent in the dressing room but we need a winning mentality. We need proper men here, we don’t need frilly players.”

Sbragia was happy to have succeeded in securing Sunderland’s third successive season in the world’s richest league but revealed he made the decision at the weekend to step down as manager.

“My brief was to keep Sunderland in the Premier League and I only decided on Saturday to leave,” he revealed.

“There was never any pressure (to quit) and I do think what I’m doing is right. I am not sad. I could have been selfish and kept the job but the club needs somebody with fresh ideas.

“We started reasonably under me but I told Niall the club needed a bigger name. If it wasn’t for Niall I wouldn’t have taken the job in the first place,” admitted Sbragia, who revealed he retains a strong bond with the club.

“All my thoughts are for Sunderland and that’s why I’ve made this decision. I always thought we were good enough to say in Premier League and I’m pleased for the players and staff.

“I feel there is now a foundation and it’s up to someone to take them on. I want to be by Niall’s side.”

Quinn outlined his determination to tie Sbragia to the club when he said: “Ricky’s got a job for life at the club and we need someone in player recruitment. He’s one of the best people around to do that for me. I’m sure every Sunderland fan will raise a toast for him.”

The chairman outlined that he’s ready to implement wholesale changes at the club over the summer.

“We are a massive football club and need somebody who can take the pressure. I will do everything I can to bring in a big name. Player recruitment is the key to everything.

“We are beginning to attract the names. It’s a vital role and it’s great to have a Sunderland man like Ricky Sbragia in the wings.”