Niall Quinn has ruled out a return to Sunderland in any capacity, insisting he is content to watch 'from afar'. Quinn is a legendary figure on Wearside following his six-year stint at the club as a player, which was followed by his return as chairman and part-owner in 2006 as part of the Drumaville consortium which also included a short spell combining those duties with that of manager before Roy Keane was appointed.
Following Ellis Short's purchase of the club outright in 2009, Quinn later became director of international development but he left that role in February 2012 and has not been involved with Sunderland since. Many Sunderland fans would like to see Quinn involved again in some capacity, with an ambassadorial role one possibility that has been suggested, but the 55-year-old Irishman has indicated that he is not planning a return.
"There are far better people around to bring the club to the next stage than me," Quinn told the Sunderland Echo while back in the North East for former player and kitman John Cooke's testimonial. "It is going to be really interesting watching it this year from afar.
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"I know everything that is going on because my son is on every forum and listens to every podcast. He'll keep me well informed.
"But you get the feeling it is going to be exciting. The negative stuff that has been in the background over the years that might just erode away now and hopefully we can talk about the future."
Quinn was at Wembley last month to see Sunderland win promotion from League One back to the Championship, ending their four-year stay in the third tier.
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