SOCCER ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:NIALL QUINN'S "magic-carpet ride" at Sunderland came to an end yesterday when the club's former chairman stepped down from his post as international development director.

The 45-year-old former Sunderland, Manchester City, Arsenal and Republic of Ireland striker said he intends to concentrate on spending time with his family near Dublin as well as developing new business interests away from football.

Quinn’s powers of persuasion helped create the Drumaville consortium which took control of Sunderland in 2006. Working alongside that group of Irish businessmen he served as chairman before accepting an international development role in October last year.

By then Drumaville had been bought out by Ellis Short, with Quinn having persuaded the billionaire American financier to buy Sunderland.

Although Quinn spent most of his final months at the club securing new international partnerships in Africa and east Asia, perhaps his most important job was in helping Short recruit Martin O’Neill as Steve Bruce’s replacement in December.

“Niall has been a truly iconic figure at Sunderland, both as a player and in his time leading the club from the top,” O’Neill said. “His vision and drive, alongside that of Ellis, played a significant part in me coming here.

“Like everyone I couldn’t be more disappointed that he has decided to step down but I respect and understand his decision. To me he is ‘Mr Sunderland’ – and always will be.”

Quinn, who shortly before appointing Roy Keane as Sunderland manager in 2006 promised fans a “magic-carpet ride”, believes he is leaving the club in rude health.

“Sunderland is in an incredibly fortunate position to have a hugely talented team of people leading the club right now,” he said. “Everything is in place for Sunderland to really make a statement.”

Guardian Service