Former Black Cats legend backs McLeish for manager role

Alex McLeish is the perfect person to take on the Sunderland job according to former Black Cat Alex Rae.

The pair worked together at Genk, where McLeish spent a season in 2014/15, and the Scot has since managed Zamalek in Egypt.

He has not managed in England since an ill-fated spell at Nottingham Forest but Rae believes he is the right man to get Sunderland back into the Premier League.

The former midfielder believes McLeish’s pedigree makes him the ideal candidate for the job, even if a fellow Scot, Derek McInnes is favourite to get it.

(Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

“For me, Sunderland need a manager like McLeish,” said Rae.

“McLeish has been at Rangers, had to deal with being a previous Birmingham City boss at Aston Villa. He is a big, big character. Not only that, he is a manager who has trophies coming out of his ears.

“He has managed at that level, won cups north and south of the border and even managed at international level and abroad.

“McLeish has got everything. He has presence when he walks into a dressing-room, can command respect and he has the man-management skills.

“He can work to a budget and is a winner. I’m sure he would welcome an offer to be Sunderland boss.

“I said it five years ago, before I had even worked alongside him, and I will say it again – McLeish is the type of manager that this club has been crying out for.”