Chris Coleman will take charge of his first Sunderland game when they travel to Aston Villa on Tuesday and the man he replaced has called for him to be given time to turn round the struggling Wearside club.

The Sunderland Echo report how Simon Grayson told BBC Five Live that the ex-Wales boss won’t be able to change everything immediately.

“I think the biggest thing Chris will need is time because it does not happen overnight. You can’t turn a club around so quickly when it’s been through some real dark stages, and that’s what he will need to make is a success again.”

Failure to beat Millwall on Saturday meant Sunderland are incredibly still without a win in 2017 and the Black Cats problems were compounded with Jonny Williams and Duncan Watmore going off injured in the first half.

However, Grayson believes that there is enough quality at the Stadium of Light for Coleman to work with.

“I had no disbelief with the group of players that I had that we wouldn’t be able to turn it around, and I’m sure Chris will be thinking the same thing.”

Coleman will take charge of a Sunderland side that are bottom of the league and four points from safety.

The Verdict

Clearly Grayson is going to say that Coleman needs time as that’s what he said about himself, but you would have to agree with him.

Sunderland have been on a downward spiral for years and serious changes need to be made at the club over the next few transfer windows.

Chris Coleman is a very good appointment and whilst his short-term aims will be pulling away from a relegation battle, he needs the time that Grayson wasn’t afforded to make the long-term changes that are needed.

Thoughts, Sunderland fans? Let us know in the comments below.

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