Saturday 29 April 2017 20:37, UK
Niall Quinn thinks relegation could be the best thing for Sunderland's long-term future, but only after a period of "soul searching and deep reflection".
Having battled against the drop for the last few seasons, the Black Cats saw their 10-year stay in the Premier League ended after a 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Manager David Moyes has said he wants to stay on and lead the club back into the top flight while chairman Ellis Short has said in a statement that there is "significant work to be done over the summer".
Former Sunderland player and chairman Quinn thinks there needs to be a "clean plan" to secure promotion from the Championship.
"There is a period of deep reflection to be taken," he said. "It's a tough time but there is only one way to deal with it and that's to show a real ability to bounce back, and what happens in the next few months off the pitch will determine that.
"The fans deserve some form of rescue plan to get the club back into the Premier League. There will be soul-searching behind the scenes. It's been a long period of struggle and in some ways this might be what is needed to clear everything out and go again. I just hope it works."
Moyes has faced criticism from some fans in recent months as Sunderland have failed to pull themselves out of the relegation zone.
Quinn said the manager has to take some of the blame, but added: "It was noticeable that the fans turned recently, as opposed to the start when they said he was under a lot of pressure and they believe in him. Near the end a certain number of fans decided to think otherwise.
It's been a long period of struggle and in some ways this might be what is needed to clear everything out and go again.
"He is right in saying that there should be a week or two to calm everything down and think where can we get positive signs, how can we do it as a group, in the correct way, who is involved, and am I still there?
"If you go back to the amount of times people spoke about stability I think he provides that, but it depends what direction the board goes and how they react to everything that has gone on.
"I would like to see after the dust settles some form of plan that people can buy into and identify with and get behind. If that's done with Moyes in the correct way then I would be happy with that."
Quinn also thinks Sunderland could look to their rivals Newcastle when they try to plan how to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The Magpies kept hold of manager Rafa Benitez when they were relegated and have been promoted this season.
"They executed a great plan to get back up and I hope Sunderland do the same," said Quinn.
"There has to be an overhaul in terms of the club and what it is there for. To hang on for a few years as it has done has made it tough for the fans. Where do they go? Is the club in freefall or can it sustain itself again with a defined plan from top to bottom that everybody buys into?"
