Greenall First interview Live
JC sky Sports : First of all, on behalf of everyone here and at Sky, congratulations on your first management job and we hope you have a successful career at Sunderland.
Greenall: Thank you, so do I!
PM BBC Sport: What attracted you to the Sunderland job?
Greenall: it’s a great club which has had tough times these last few years. They have the fourth biggest stadium in the UK, great fanbase, great training factices and the owner isn’t afraid to spend money when needed. It’s a shame that they have been fighting of relegation these past few years when they have the right formula to be consistently fighting to get into Europe in my opinion and that’s my aim over the next years, to stabilise the club and to start moving forward, As I said, everything is pretty much already in place for that, we just need to start winning more football matches.
JC Sky Sports : You take over a team that’s in the relegation zone with only 9 games left to play, surely not an ideal first management role?
Greenall : I believe that the squad is more than capable to stay up, We have some world class talent here and I just have to get the right system in place and get the players believing in them self, once that’s done the results will come. We have a great set of supporters here that we need to get behind the team and keep encourage them, we have the right foundations here and I think anything is possible.
CY Sunderland Echo: What do you make of the current Sunderland squad?
Greenall: We have a fantastic bunch of lads here, I have only taken training once so far but I’m very happy with the players at my disposal. There was a real buzz around the training pitch this morning and all the players got stuck in. We went through a number of drills and then played a small match so I could see everyone in action. Everyone impressed, especially some of the youth lads.
JC Sky Sports : Your away to West Ham tomorrow, do you feel prepared?
Greenall: To be honest no, but I’m not sure anyone would. Like I said we have only had one training session with the players so I’m still getting to know them as players and know there strengthen and weaknesses and where they will fit into the side. I’ve come up with a couple of formations and ideas about how we should play but again, it will take time for the boys to understand what’s required out of them in these systems. I expect to see massive improve for the Middlesbrough game when we have had more time to work on it, but tomorrow will be tough for us, However as always we will go there and give it our all and try get a positive result for our fans because at this stage of the season every game and point matters.
MS DailyMail: So have you already conceded defeat in the game with West ham?
Greenall: Did I say that? Like I said, it will be tough for sure, even the best mangers in the world would have trouble to get a team together and setup how they want in a day, we will keep it tight at the back and go from there. As long as the players put one hundred percent in, I’m happy.
PM BBC Sport : Pep spoke very highly of you yesterday in his press conference, Will you be in contact with him when in need of advice or players?
Greenall: Yes for sure, we are currently working on a deal to bring Kompnay, Aguero, De Bruyne and Heart here!!! In all seriousness, of course I will speak with him; we are close friends from our time at Bayern, but this is my job and he has to concentrate on of his own so I will more rely on my backroom staff. As far as players as concerned, I still have to fully assess the squad and will then make the signings in the summer that I deem necessary.
JC SkySports : Just touching on what you said about backroom staff, We understand Kevin Philips is coming back to the club in some sort of coaching role?
Greenall: Yes, Kevin signed a contract this morning to be my Assistant manager. He had a great playing career here and knows the club very well. I look forward to working with and believe and can get Sunderland to where we believe the club should be.
CY Sunderland Echo: Have you spoke to the chairman about what sort of funds you will have in the summer?
Greenall: Yes, we spoke about that but it’s hard to determine at the moment, We have agreed to sit down and speak about this proplery when we know which league we are going to be in. This will give me some more time to assess the squad as well and find targets that could improve the squad. Next question the last please.
JC Skysports: We understand that a few players want to leave the club, one in particular we understand is Jordan Pickford?
Greenall: I haven’t had chance to sit down and speak to any player other than the captain O’Shea at the moment. I will sit down and speak to Jordan in the next couple of weeks and see what the issue seems to be, in the meantime, I expect all my players to play for their shirt and give there all even if they want to leave in the summer.
Greenall: Thank you for your time guys!!