Friday 22 December 2017 10:50, UK
Chris Coleman has "lifted the mood" since arriving at Sunderland, according to Lee Clark.
The former Wales boss has steered the Black Cats out of the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone and also secured a first win for the club at home in almost a year last weekend by beating Fulham.
Speaking on EFL Matters on Thursday night, Clark said: "I think he's the right man, he's lifted the whole spirit around the club, the support and staff behind the scenes.
"Simon [Grayson] walked into a tough job and just couldn't find the answers, but Chris has just lifted the mood of everyone. It was a shock and a pleasant surprise that they got him after he did so well with Wales and he's just taken that feel-good factor on.
"He's also calming everyone down because they're getting a bit excited up there after beating Fulham! But this weekend is another huge game for them against Bristol City, and one they hope will help build momentum."
Clark and presenter David Prutton were joined on the show by Garry Birtles, who believes that Coleman has brought his successful formula from Wales into his job at Sunderland.
"I was around the Welsh squad at Euro 2016 and you could see the atmosphere among the players was absolutely fantastic," said Birtles.
"They believed in what Chris was doing and there was a great camaraderie among the players, and you feel he's gone in with that mentality and it's paying off already."
