Murray’s exit paves way for Quinn consortium

BOB MURRAY’S reign as Sunderland chairman ended yesterday after 20 turbulent years with former Black Cats player Niall Quinn heading the consortium set to replace him.

Quinn and his partners are yet to make a formal offer for the outgoing chairman’s 56.8% stake in the club but it is understood they will do so within the next few days to launch their £10million buy-out.

A price for Murray’s shares – £5.7million – has already been agreed, and the same offer would have to be made to the remaining shareholders, who would then have 21 days to make a decision.

But a swift conclusion is a must if Quinn is to install a new manager and embark upon team rebuilding – the Black Cats still have debts of £40million and Mick McCarthy’s successor is unlikely to get much to spend straight away – with the start of the new season just five weeks away.

Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane have both featured high on the list of candidates — indeed, the desire to install one of them has been cited as a contributory factor in the delay – and former Rangers manager Alex McLeish has since emerged as a contender.

In the meantime, Murray will leave his office – he will remain on the board until the takeover goes through – happy with his legacy, although with some regrets.

He said: “Success on the pitch is how you are measured in football. I acknowledge my record is mixed, albeit our lowest finish in the last 10 years is third in the Championship.

“I know for many, the best football they have enjoyed in living memory as Sunderland supporters was when we were flying high and finished seventh in the Premier League two years in succession.

“At that time, I also believed that we would continue to progress and move forward. But I know there have also been the disappointments of relegation, the manner of which has been difficult to bear.”

Martyn McFadden, editor of fanzine A Love Supreme, said: “Bob Murray obviously worked really hard and done some good things and some bad.”