Jack Ross reveals why Stewart Donald deserves praise ahead of FPP Sunderland takeover

Ross was appointed Sunderland boss last summer following relegation from the Championship, Stewart Donald & Co taking charge after buying the club from Ellis Short in a deal worth £40million.

The Black Cats are set to be taken over by an American consortium containing John Phelan, Glenn Fuhrman and Robert Platek. A deal is close, with Donald and Charlie Methven continuing to run the club day-to-day.

And Ross feels the current regime deserves huge credit.

“Modern football is tough because a lot of big expectations are placed upon club owners,” reflected Ross. “The expectations to chase dreams and chase success in a very quick way can lend themselves to decisions being made that are perhaps incorrect.

“Maybe in the fullness of time, people might take a step back and look at what’s happened here in the last 15 or 16 months since Stewart took ownership, and maybe understand how important that has been for the club. It has stabilised the club, and ensured it didn’t go in a wrong direction.

“If this [takeover] does go ahead, people will maybe reflect on that and understand that he has played an important role in the club continuing to move forward in the right direction. I can’t speak for whoever might take charge of the club, but the conversations to date would suggest there will be a sustainable approach given to try to grow the club in the right way.”

Ross added: “One of the reasons to come to the club, not the only reason but definitely one of the factors, was that I liked Stewart from minute one.

“I get on with him really well from a personal point of view, taking away the side of being the chairman and me being the manager. I like him as a person, I think he likes me, and we get on well.”