Sunderland today appointed Ricky Sbragia as permanent manager after his successful spell as caretaker. The 52-year-old Scot has been given an 18-month contract by chairman Niall Quinn as the reward for his four games in charge, which have brought two victories, a draw and a defeat away to Manchester United.

Sbragia succeeds Roy Keane, who resigned earlier this month after 27 months in the belief he had taken the club as far as he could.

Quinn said: "Ricky Sbragia is a thoroughly professional football person.

"We have been taken aback by how easily he has slotted into the managerial role and are really heartened by his intelligent approach in dealing with the players and the day-to-day rigours of the job.

"Ricky took up the reigns when we were at low ebb and has without doubt revitalised the club.

"He is the unanimous choice of the executive board and will receive every support in his new role. The ownership of the club have also fully endorsed the appointment.

"I'm sure all of our fans, and the players too, will give Ricky their full backing in his first senior management position."

The appointment was confirmed after a boardroom meeting this morning in the wake of yesterday's 0-0 home draw with Blackburn, which followed victories over West Brom and Hull.

Sbragia was delighted to have been offered the opportunity as he and his players prepared to travel to Merseyside for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with Everton.

He said: "I'm delighted to have been offered the opportunity to manage a club as big as Sunderland and I'm relishing the challenge ahead.

"My main priority is moving up the Premier League table and ensuring we have unity and stability at the club.

"I've been extremely pleased by the commitment shown by the players to date and the support we have all received from the fans.

"We travel to Merseyside this afternoon and I can hardly wait."

Today's announcement comes as no surprise despite the club being linked with a host of big names since Keane decided to call it a day.

Quinn and his fellow directors have been hugely impressed with the way Sbragia, who joined the club as first-team coach a year ago, stepped up after being asked to take temporary charge.

Despite more than 30 serious candidates making their availability known - Sam Allardyce was immediately installed at the top of the bookmakers' list which also included the likes of Alan Curbishley, Phil Brown, Avram Grant, Louis van Gaal and Gerard Houllier - it did not take long for the former Manchester United and Bolton coach to make his mark.

As speculation mounted that he could be a serious candidate, Sbragia admitted he did not know whether he would want the job if an offer came his way.

He has already indicated that he has been given the backing of Quinn and the Drumaville consortium to recruit an experienced Premier League defender during next month's transfer window, and is currently clarifying the position on the 10 players the club has out on loan.