Ricky Sbragia

Ricky Sbragia worked for the Scottish Football Association from 2011-17 working with the U17, U19 and U21 squads. He was subsequently Manchester U23 coach for two years. Prior to working for the SA, he was the chief scout of Sunderland. Sbragia has also managed in the Barclays Premier League with the Black Cats after being promoted in the wake of Roy Keane's departure from the Stadium of Light. The Scottish coach, who initially joined Keane's backroom team was confirmed as his successor following a run of improved results after taking caretaker charge. On 24 May 2009, Sbragia resigned from the Sunderland managerial post after leading the club to survival in the Barclays Premier League. He then remained as the clubs's chief scout until April 2011. Sbragia, born of Italian descent, is a protege of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. After retiring as a player, he became York City's youth coach and, in 1993, inspired the club's first-ever appearance in the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup. Sbragia then took a similar job at Sunderland before stepping up to take charge of the second team. In 2002, he moved to Manchester United as reserve coach where he guided the development of players like Darren Fletcher and Kieran Richardson. Three years later, Ricky was appointed first team coach at Bolton under Sam Allardyce before switching to Sunderland to assist Keane. Sbragia began his playing career as an apprentice at Birmingham in 1972. He was a member of promotion sides at Walsall and York where he also figured in one of the club's most memorable moments, scoring the equaliser in an FA Cup fifth round tie against Liverpool in 1985. Ricky became a qualified coach after hanging up his boots at Darlington.