Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain believes a new manager needs to come in as quickly as possible in order to get the most from the important pre-season period.

Bain is in charge of hiring the Black Cats’ new manager, with David Moyes bidding farewell a fortnight ago having stepped down from the role following relegation from the Premier League.

Interviews for the next permenant boss are expected to take place as early as this week, with Preston manager Simon Grayson and Derek McInnes – currently in charge at Scottish outfit Aberdeen – among those in the running.

And Bain believes a new manager should come into the role sooner rather than later – so long as they are the rightman for the job.

Preston manager Simon Grayson is among those rumoured to be considered for a switch to the Stadium of Light (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

“The recruitment process is ongoing,” he said. “Pre-season is an important period at any football club so naturally we are keen to conclude things as quickly as possible, whilst being mindful of the need to make the right appointment.

“Preparations for the new season are progressing well and our full plans for pre-season are close to being finalised.

“The first team and the under 23s will spend a week together in Austria, which signals a much more joined up approach to the pre-season preparations.

“It is something that the club hasn’t done previously, so it will give the young players a great opportunity to train alongside their senior counterparts and experience the intensity required at first-team level.”

Patrice Evra insists Manchester United will always be home after returning to Old Trafford to appear in Michael Carrick’s testimonial match.

The French left back, who spent nine seasons with the Europa League champions, is currently plying his trade in Ligue 1 with Marseille but returned to Manchester as part of the United 2008 XI.

And the 36-year-old was overwhelmed with the support he received during the match.

He said: “I always say, this is my home and I feel that way. Thanks to all the fans they are all amazing.

“For me it’s just a dream. Like I say I love Man United and I will always love Man United. It’s not a fake love.

“There’s just too much emotion, too much feeling to come back to the dressing room, to see the gaffer, the stadium, the fans, it’s just amazing.”

(Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)

Evra also called for the fans to continue to get behind the Red Devils after a disappointing league season saw them finish fifth but with the silverware secured in the League Cup and Europa League.

“We need to be behind Man United always when they win or lose. If you love Man United you should never criticise them, you need to support them,” he added.

“When a player has a bad game, the fans never boo him. This year they qualified for the Champions League and some people said they did not play good football, but we are not in the circus.”

‘Tis the season. With Premier League action over until August, the transfer rumour mill is in overdrive as England’s top clubs are linked with several of Europe’s biggest stars and talented up-and-comers.

Chelsea’s interest in out-of-favour Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata is one story that refuses to go away – but the 24-year-old has dealt the Blues’ hopes of landing his signature a blow.

After winning the Champions League for the first time on Saturday (having returned to the Bernabeu from Juventus last summer), the Spain international insists he is happy with Los Blancos despite playing second fiddle to Karim Benzema most of this term.

Morata scored 20 goals in all competitions for Madrid this season, despite only starting 13 La Laga matches under Zinedine Zidane, but Chelsea manager Antonio Conte may be forced to look elsewhere for a new front man.

“I don’t know anything about [any interest in me],” said Morata. “I read these things in the papers but don’t know anything about them.

“To go back to Madrid again and win the Champions League is incredible.

“I think that it doesn’t depend so much on me if I want to stay, I am happy here, my dream is to be here and right now I’m not thinking about anything but celebrating.

“This is a team. Here we are 23, we have won together, we lose together and there’s no need to think individually. If not, I would have to play tennis.”

Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen has refused to rule out a move away from White Hart Lane this summer.

The Holland international scored just six goals for Spurs in 38 appearances – of which just 14 were starts.

That form was a stark contrast to his record the previous season at AZ Alkmaar where he scored 32 goals.

And the 22-year-old Dutch striker, who was back up to Golden Boot winner Harry Kane,  says he is keeping his options open this summer.

“I initially found it difficult with my role as a substitute, sometimes sitting in the stands at Spurs,” he told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

“But I learned to deal with it.

“As a young player I had to compete with Harry Kane – the top scorer of the Premier League – arguably the toughest league in the world, and a striker who is performing remains in the team.

Picture: Getty

“That [my future] is a matter for after the holidays. I want the prospect of more playing time, but otherwise I’m now better keeping my mouth shut.

“I cannot say anything about that [a return to the Eredivisie] either. I keep all options open.”

Spurs team-mate Jan Vertonghen recently backed Janssen to prove the critics wrong following his disappointing start to life in England.

The 29-year-old defender told the Evening Standard: “Vincent is adapting very well now. He understands the way the gaffer wants him to play. He’s so strong, he just needs that goal and then he’ll be on fire.

“Vincent’s working very hard. Obviously it wasn’t the start he wanted but he’s showing now what he’s capable of.

“Can he succeed in the Premier League? Definitely, yes. I am convinced of it.”

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has issued an apology to Sky Blue fans and has urged for more to be made of match days at the Etihad.

In his end of season review, the Emirati entrepreneur highlighted the importance of the club’s unique fan base and warned it must not be left behind as the City brand grows globally.

Al Mubarak said: “If we’ve made mistakes, I apologise.

“But what I do promise you is that we will always try to do our best and as long as you keep telling us how we can help and what more we can do, you always have an ear here that will listen because I really care.

“But we are not going to be completely successful if we don’t have our fans and community with us hand in hand fully committed to us.

“That is a relationship that is organic with this club.”

 (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

Although City recorded profits for the second year running, the price of season tickets have increased.

Fans’ match day experiences have occasionally been hampered by long queues this season, preventing them from getting to their seats in time for kick-off.

“When you are becoming global, sometimes you miss things. We shouldn’t miss things when it comes to our fans,” Al Mubarak added.

James Milner believes he has perfected his defensive game after completing a full season at left-back.

The Liverpool number seven switched from his traditional midfield role to the backline during the 2016-17 Premier League campaign, where he featured 36 times for Jürgen Klopp’s Reds.

And the 31-year-old vice-captain, who admits he is a forward-thinking player, says he now has a greater appreciation for playing in a deeper position.

“I think sensing danger early is the biggest thing to learn. When you play in midfield you’re obviously always switched on to defending,” he said.

“Would I say I’m a left-back now? I’d probably say utility man. I’ll play wherever’s needed. Wherever there’s a leak, I’ll plug the gap.

(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

“Throughout my career I’ve played in a lot of positions anyway so it’s just trying to change the mindset from what you’re used to and to do the job as well as possible.”

After spending the majority of his career to date in midfield, Klopp had complete faith in the 31-year-old’s ability to brave the defensive transition.

Klopp said: “He is a fantastic professional football player and a really good guy. I knew he could do it, otherwise I would not have made this decision.”

Teenage centre-back Declan Rice is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Mark Noble at West Ham after being named the club’s Young Hammer of the Year.

Just 18-years-old, Rice helped West Ham U23s to promotion from Premier League 2 before making his full debut for the club in the final game of the season against Burnley.

And with club captain Noble another to have claimed the Young Hammer award in the past, Rice has an obvious example to follow.

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“The award just topped off the season perfectly for me, to be honest,” said Rice, who trained with the Ireland senior squad ahead of their June internationals.

“Then, to go on and make my debut afterwards was even better. I never thought I would win that award.

“Some big names have won the award before, like Nobes earlier in his career. The guys who have won it in the past have gone on to have good careers, too, and Nobes has played 400 games for the club.

“Hopefully I can make my mark in a similar way to him. I have always wanted my career to be here since joining from Chelsea. My heart has been with West Ham every day since then, and that feeling is always growing.”

Arsenal have not won the Premier League title since 2004, but midfielder Alex Iwobi is convinced Arsene Wenger will steer the club to another league success before he departs.

Manager Wenger has just extended his 21-year stint at the Gunners by another two years on the back of his seventh FA Cup triumph.

But he has faced harsh criticism this season for Arsenal’s weak campaign, which saw them finish outside the Champions League places for the first time in his tenure.

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Some Gunners fans want change and the club are reportedly set to embark on an unprecedented summer of spending.

And Iwobi remains optimistic that Wenger can still work his magic in North London.

“I’m backing Arsene Wenger to win the league title at Arsenal again,” he said.

“There won’t be a single player in our dressing room next season who will not fight for him. We’d run through brick walls for the boss.

“I’m pleased because he really is Mr Arsenal, isn’t he? He has made it the great institution it is today.

“Unfortunately, he has not tasted a Premier League title since 2004, but look what he has achieved in his time here.”

Ashley Williams has spoken of his positive debut season at Everton and insists the club’s proud history continually drives his teammates forward.

Having made the switch from Swansea to Goodison Park last August, the centre back featured heavily throughout the Blues’ 2016-17 Premier League season, missing only one matches.

And the Welsh skipper, who helped Ronald Koeman’s side secure a seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification, has relished his debut season playing in front of the Merseyside fans.

“When you come into the city it’s either red or blue and on a match day you know that the Everton fans are crazy for football and really live for the team,” he said.

“Once you become part of the club you realise how big football is to them and what the club has achieved before so you’re always trying to live up to the standards that have been set.

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“The top six is difficult to break into; we gave it a good go and got European football in the end so it’s been a good season.”

Having played for the Swans during the 2013/14 season, Williams already has Europa League experience under his belt,which should benefit Everton when they begin their qualification campaign on July 27.

Leicester City midfielder Matty James believes he is stronger than ever after revealing the dark times that he went through during his long lay-off with injury.

After rupturing an anterior cruciate knee ligament in May 2015, the former Manchester United midfielder eventually returned for the Foxes in December 2016.

The 25-year-old joined Barnsley on loan to get game time and, after such a long period out ofaction, admitted that his return to regular first-team football was an emotional one.

“Everyone had been waiting for that moment. People that were close to me, so it was a really emotional time,” he said.

“People look at being a footballer and think it’s a high-profile lifestyle. It’s not the case at all when you’re not playing. You can be a miserable person. For me, it was a really bad stage in my life.

(Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

“Once I played that first 90 minutes, the shackles came off and I was a football player again. It was emotional for me and my family.

“I just rolled into it and it was a great feeling.

“I didn’t know what avenue I was going to go down. Looking back on it, I think it’s made me a stronger person, a stronger player. Mentally, it’s made me stronger in every aspect of life.”