The timeline of Niall Quinn's last spell as Sunderland chairman
The timeline of Niall Quinn's last spell as Sunderland chairman
Here's how Sunderland fared when Quinn was in charge between 2006-2011
Here's how Sunderland fared when Quinn was in charge between 2006-2011
Quinn to return?
Club legend Niall Quinn has been linked with a bid to buy Sunderland off the beleaguered incumbent Ellis Short. Here's how he got on when HE was chairman
"When I was in full flow with the club three months ago, becoming manager is not something I thought I would be doing. But it has transpired that way, even though the group who are backing me could not have been more ambitious in trying."
Niall Quinn
He also appointed himself as manager after failing to find a suitable candidate.
His replacement was this man...
Keane delivers the goods
Despite being a managerial novice, Keane oversaw a remarkable transformation, taking Sunderland from the relegation zone to the Championship title!
Summer rebuild
Upon their return to the Premier League, Sunderland embarked on an extravagant trolley dash to the tune of approximately £50m.
The most expensive acquisition was goalkeeper Craig Gordon who joined in a £9m deal from Hearts, thus making him the most expensive goalkeeper in British football.
Survival secured!
Despite narrowly missing the magical 40-point mark, Sunderland ended up 15th in the table on 39 points to stay in the Premier League at the first time of asking.
A 3-2 win over local neighbours Middlesbrough in April did the trick.
Summer rebuild part 2
After almost exclusively signing British and Irish players during his first couple of years in charge, Roy Keane's transfer policy took a turn with more foreign players brought in.
Most notable arrivals included notorious bad boy El-Hadji Diouf, the always colourful Djibril Cisse as well as Steed Malbranque, Teemu Tainio and Pascal Chimbonda from Spurs.
Ellis Short arrives on the scene
In September 2008, Ellis Short bought a controlling stake in Sunderland. A few months later he completed the purchase of Drumaville Consortium that was chaired by Niall Quinn before assuming ownership in May 2009.
Roy Keane walks away...
In December 2008 after 28 months in the job, Roy Keane walked away following a run of six defeats in seven Premier League.
Sunderland players reportedly celebrated the news amid reports that Keane was ruling the dressing room 'by fear'. Surely not...
"I would like to thank my staff, players, Niall Quinn and in particular the fans for their support during my time at Sunderland. I would like to wish the club every success in the future."
Roy Keane
Enter the unassuming caretaker... Ricky Sbragia
A former youth team guru at Manchester United, Ricky Sbragia took over from Keane, signing an 18-month deal.
Sunderland survive again... but Sbragia leaves
Yet again, Sunderland survived and yet again, they did so by the skin of their teeth.
A run of one win from their last 13 games meant that Sunderland finished on 36 points in 16th place.
Fortunately for them, local rivals Newcastle were even worse 
Steve Bruce is appointed
After an impressive spell in charge of Wigan Athletic, Steve Bruce was identified as the right man to bring the good times back to the Stadium of Light.
Bruce penned a three-year deal and made some big signings including Darren Bent from Spurs, Lorik Cana from Marseille and Boudewijn Zenden.
Darren Bent scores against Liverpool... with assistance from a beach ball
youtube embed goes here!
Darren Bent scored one of the most iconic goals in Premier League history when his shot cannoned off a beach ball (hilariously chucked onto the pitch by a Liverpool fan) and beyond Pepe Reina in goal.
Sunderland finish 13th
Under Bruce, Sunderland comfortably avoided relegation ending up in 13th place on 44 points.
Gyan signs!
Everybody's favourite footballer at the 2010 World Cup, Asamoah Gyan completed a club-record £13m move to Sunderland from Rennes.
Other notable arrivals ahead of the 201011 season included Simon Mignolet, Danny Welbeck and erm... Titus Bramble.
Sunderland finish 10th!
With a squad boasting the likes of Mignolet, Welbeck, Gyan and an emerging Jordan Henderson, Sunderland achieved their best Premier League finish since 2000-01 when they came 7th.
Quinn is replaced as chairman by Ellis Short
After a difficult summer which saw Asamoah Gyan move on to Al-Ain, Quinn was replaced as chairman by Ellis Short himself.
Quinn was appointed as Director of International Development instead, but he lasted just four months in the role.
"I've had the most amazing six years and it gives me a huge sense of pride to see where Sunderland is today.
"Sunderland is in an incredibly fortunate position to have a hugely talented team of people leading the football club right now."
Niall Quinn