Sunderland confirm Paul Bracewell as Sam Allardyce's assistant manager
Friday 23 October 2015 11:48, UK
Paul Bracewell has been confirmed as Sunderland's new assistant manager following Sam Allardyce's arrival at the club.
The 53-year-old former England midfielder has been promoted from his role as first-team coach.
Allardyce, who replaced Dick Advocaat as manager at the Stadium of Light on October 9, has been working alongside Bracewell on a temporary basis but the position has now been made permanent.
The Black Cats opted for an internal appointment after Southend manager Phil Brown rejected an offer, while ex-boss Peter Reid had also been linked with the job.
Former Scotland defender Robbie Stockdale, 35, who was previously U21 boss, has been named as first-team coach in place of Bracewell.
Former Hartlepool midfielder Mark Taylor completes Allardyce's backroom team following his appointment as the club's performance director.
Taylor will take responsibility for key areas of the club's football operation, including sports science, strength and conditioning, medical, performance analysis and the first-team coaching staff.
Allardyce said: "Areas such as sports science and performance analysis are absolutely crucial in the modern game. Mark has a tremendous amount of experience and expertise in these key disciplines and he will help us to ensure that our players reach their maximum potential.
"I am delighted to welcome Mark to the club."
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Taylor, who also played for Crewe, Blackpool, Cardiff City and Wrexham, returned to education after hanging up his boots and graduated with a BSc in physiotherapy and an MSc in sports science before joining Allardyce at Blackpool.
His career since has seen the pair work together at Bolton and Newcastle, while he was also a member of now England boss Roy Hodgson's staff at Blackburn and Fulham.
