How Sunderland's youth teams are expected to play following appointment of ex-Rangers and Norwich coach

Murty was appointed the club’s Head of Professional Development Phase earlier this month and will take charge of Sunderland’s under-21s side.

The 47-year-old has previously worked in the youth set-ups at Southampton, Norwich and Rangers, while he also managed the first team at Ibrox following a spell as interim boss.

Those experiences should serve Murty well as he looks to create a pathway from the academy to the first team on Wearside, while trying to implement an aligned style of play.

"I think there is work to be done,” Murty told the Echo when asked about his first few weeks at the club. “I don’t think there is any getting away from the fact that we are trying to implement a style of play and brand of football that is pleasing on the eye and is technically challenging. It’s more possession based.

“I have said to the lads if you continue to try and build, continue to try and play and lose the ball in the final third, that’s on me because I’m telling you to do it.

“I would much, much rather you played and were brave and gave the ball away in the final third than went long out of fear. We can’t play our brand of football playing out of fear. We want to be brave and want to be aggressive in possession.”

Even in the under-21s squad Murty will be working with a young group for the age category, including 17-year-old midfielder Marshall Burke.

And while Murty says he’s one of the ‘most competitive people you will ever meet’ he knows his job will not solely be judged on results.

“We want to play slick, smooth football and it will be lumpy until we get it right but this is why we do it,” he added. “We do it in development football because we know players aren’t the finished article.

“Marshall Burke for example is a really, really young one but he will benefit massively from getting on the ball and having to retain possession under good pressure from under-21s players. For his development this kind of moment is invaluable.

“I’ll be in the 18s as well so we’ll be playing this style of football. It’s a style where centre-halves are expected to carry possession and build play, midfield players are expected to get the ball on the half turn and play through lines.

“We want good technique, people to be able to receive the ball under pressure and find solutions. There is a bit in it where perhaps we will give the ball away and players can drop belief, and that’s fine, that’s absolutely normal and where we come in.

“We come in as that resource that reassures them that this is what we want to do. ‘don’t worry about it, go and get back on the ball.’

“When we get back on our debrief we will be able to break down why it happened and be able to teach from there and this is all about learning and development and moving forward as a team.”