Ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given is sad to see Sunderland in their current state.

Given did spend a brief part of his career at Sunderland, on loan from Blackburn, but he is much more famous for his time at Newcastle which was just after this spell.

He spent 12 years with the Magpies in a period which was initially successful including campaigns in the Champions League as well as a run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup.

More recently, their great rivals Sunderland suffered a second consecutive relegation to take them down into League One and they also received the ignominy of finishing dead last in the Championship this season.

It was a dreadful campaign for the Black Cats with few positives, and Chris Coleman was sacked near the end of the campaign as more change seems afoot.

Shay Given, speaking exclusively to 888sport, had this to say about Sunderland's season:

"With Sunderland, it’s just such a real shame. People might think because I played for Newcastle I want to see them down in as many divisions as I can but I don’t. The best games at Newcastle was against Sunderland with both sets of fans having a good go at each other, not in a bad way but banter, and that’s great for both cities."

It’s such a shame what has happened to them but new owners have gone in there now and you hope they can get them back to where they belong. But it won’t be easy."

Read the full 888sport interview with Shay Given, including his thoughts on Blackburn and Aston Villa.