Sky were reporting they had permission to speak to him, but are now reprting that they understand the club aren't interested in him, so they have all the bases covered.
Not really a big name manager in my eyes, more an average one.
Kenwyne upto £20 Million from Spurs in Jan, must of been add ons like goals finishing position etc.
http://www.safc.com/news/ellis-short-assumes-control.htmlEllis Short assumes control
Sunderland AFC today revealed that majority shareholder Ellis Short is to assume 100% control of the club.
Sunderland Chairman Niall Quinn commented, "This is fantastic news for the club. Ellis has already shown tremendous commitment to date but today's announcement opens the door for a new era at the Stadium of Light.
"I first met Ellis at the Ryder Cup in 2006 and he was immediately interested in the Sunderland Story and what we were trying to achieve. He's an avid sports fan and caught the football bug following his move to the UK ten years ago and is now a huge fan of the Premier League.
"Even before today he has personally invested more in Sunderland than all previous chairmen, directors and owners combined in the club's history. Late last summer he injected tens of millions of pounds to fund our new signings and the resultant increased wage bill. In going forward, as long as we invest the funds wisely he will continue to provide what has been the missing ingredient in Sunderland's make up, namely the financial muscle necessary to compete at the highest level.
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And Ellis's involvement to date also enabled us to turn down a club record bid of up to £20 million for Kenwyne Jones from Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window. In addition, he enthusiastically supported the decision to introduce industry leading reductions in the cost of all season tickets for thousands of fans for next season."
Niall Quinn will continue to run the club as Chairman along with the recently strengthened executive board. The Sunderland Board now have a long term strategy to drive the club forward and focus on making intelligent appointments, purchases and strategic investments at the appropriate time.
Quinn added, "Whilst it's great to be looking ahead to a bright future we also need to thank the Drumaville Consortium for their involvement at a crucial time in the club's history. They acquired the club and energetically went about driving it forward. Without them Sunderland would not be where it is today and Ellis Short would not have become involved.
"I think all Sunderland fans will appreciate that their contribution over the last three years has been very important. They will be remembered fondly and this club owes each and every Drumaville member a huge debt of gratitude for stepping in when they did and for bringing such wonderful passion to the table.
Drumaville Chairman John Ryan commented, "It has been a great honour for all members of Drumaville to have been a part of the Sunderland adventure. We have all enjoyed our involvement immensely and are delighted and proud to be passing this great club into such safe hands."
John Ryan as well as fellow non executive directors Pat Bierne, John Hays, Charlie Chawke and Owen McGartoll will step down and the streamlined executive SAFC board will be made up of Niall Quinn, Steve Walton, Lesley Callaghan, Margaret Byrne and Chris Woerts.
Quinn concluded, "It goes without saying that the search for a new manager has started and we will take what ever time is necessary to make this important appointment. It is imperative that we find somebody who will raise the bar and introduce a whole new mentality to our dressing room."
