Sunderland need a revolution says former chairman Niall Quinn

Former Sunderland chairman and striker Niall Quinn believes his old club need a 'revolutionary' manager to keep them in the Premier League.

The Black Cats are on the hunt for a successor to Dick Advocaat, who resigned as boss on Sunday with the club bottom of the top division and without a win from their opening eight games.

Sky sources understand that Sunderland are yet to identify their first-choice target but want someone with Premier League experience, and have not contacted former USA coach Bob Bradley, contrary to reports.

Sky Sports' football expert Quinn, who scored 71 goals in over 200 matches for the Wearside club, told Sky Sports News HQ: "I get a bit down when I think about it.

"It needs somebody different to come in and do something radical. If it's Bob Bradley from America, who's never been in the Premier League before, he might do things total differently and get Sunderland going.

"Big Sam might be radical enough and change the way things are going there. I think 'same old, same old' isn't going to work at Sunderland. You need a manager to come in and revolutionise everything there.

"We did it with Roy Keane initially when I was there. He changed everything; the mentality. He got us out of a slumber but unfortunately it didn't last.

"A number of the guys since have lifted it a little bit at the start - like Paolo Di Canio, Martin O'Neill and Gus Poyet - but you obviously hope someone can come in and sustain that."

Quinn believes Sunderland's players are at an all-time low after a succession of seasons battling against relegation, but they are only a corner-turn away from showing their best.

"These players are in a bad way. Their confidence is shattered. It's been negative, negative, negative for so many years now," he said.

"It just needs somebody to take all that away, lift them, and then you'll see the best of them. We'll see the best of the new players, like Younes Kaboul. They're beleaguered as things are and can't give their best.

"Managers improve players. When you have a manager you know you're going to do well for, who really motivates you, you play better."