Niall Quinn is adamant he can combine the dual role of being Sunderland manager and chairman. Quinn today confirmed himself as the Black Cats' new boss, and on Thursday is due to follow that up by being named chairman.

Quinn and his consortium are currently in the process of a share acquisition scheme, and that should go through within the next 48 hours. The former Republic of Ireland and Sunderland striker conceded the decision in becoming manager was a difficult one, but he fully believes in himself.

"When I was in full flow with the club three months ago, becoming manager is not something I thought I would be doing," said Quinn. "But it has transpired that way, even though the group who are backing me could not have been more ambitious in trying to attract a world-class manager.

"What happened is that we decided we would try to attempt the first hurdle because what we have to do is try to stop the slide, to turn the corner. We have to gather momentum, and then to lift it so that we get to a point where I can pick the phone up, go to a world-class manager and hopefully with the position we are then in, say to him 'come now'."

While conceding that taking on the role of manager was a tricky one, equally Quinn has admitted he would be willing to walk away at any time - if the club are doing well or are in the mire.

"If it takes three months to get to a point where we can bring in a new manager then great, I will gladly walk," added Quinn. "If it takes longer than that then I will stay until we reach that point, but we have to be realistic because the club was in poor shape at the end of last season.

"If it's not going well at all, then again I will gladly walk and let somebody else come in, but first and foremost I am chairman of the football club. What I would like to say is that this is a permanent appointment, but as chairman of the club, when I feel that change is happening and it is right to bring somebody in then I will gladly step aside.

"At the moment, it's about doing something in-house to get to better things later on."

Quinn has appointed Bobby Saxton as his assistant, a role he previously enjoyed during Peter Reid's reign, with Kevin Richardson as first-team coach.

And he has confirmed he is fully qualified to coach in the English Championship as he took his badges at a Football Association of Ireland coaching course.

While Quinn is confident he has the current squad on his side, one player who appears destined for pastures new is winger Julio Arca.

The Argentinian is poised to join north-east rivals Middlesbrough, with Quinn confirming: "Unfortunately, I have inherited Julio's situation. There is a clause in his contract that allows him to speak to any Premiership club if they come in for him, and he is set for talks with Middlesbrough.

"He is a smashing player and I don't want him to go and I have said to him that after he has spoken to Middlesbrough then whatever they offer him we will match it."

• Quinn has stepped down from the Independent Assessment Group which is overseeing the merger between the FAI and eircom League.

He is replaced by former chairman and current director of Charlton Athletic Richard Collins.