Sunderland AFC news: Mike Dodds discusses head coach's job, team news and Swansea match

"I know of him, I've come across him on the football circuit. I was told on Monday that I would be taking the team

“We've obviously got Graeme Murty who is with the under-21s and helped me last time and was of huge benefit.

“I think the club just felt we needed one more. In a short period of time it's always hard to make a decision on someone over a 35 minute Zoom call. You have to one, go with your gut, and go with other people in the building who know him better than I do.

"One thing I will say is he seems like a really good person, which was important for me that we have someone that could fit into the group quickly. He's a coach who wants to work on the grass and work with the players. On a professional level I know he's a really good coach."

“Where I’m at, I’m really respectful of how big this football club is. I’m really respectful that there will be hundreds of people who would love this job and love to be in the position I’m in. 

“I’m not going to come out and say no I don’t want the job because I’m respectful of the fans, I’m respectful of Sunderland as a football club. At the same time, I want to be a head coach one day and I also appreciate that my first opportunity might be my last opportunity.

“It’s got to be right for me in terms of my process and what I want to do. I wasn’t throwing my name in the hat 12 weeks ago and my position hasn’t changed. I’m more than happy to help out and more than happy to help out with the players and love working at the football club.”

"I came in on Monday, I went out with a small group, trained with that group, came in for lunch. I had a conversation with the people above me to say they weren’t going to proceed with Mick and said would I be comfortable taking the team - which clearly I am or I wouldn’t be sat here.

"Straight after that there was a conversation with the players and then the wider staff. Tuesday I kind of led training and was a normal training day. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday has been preparing for Saturday."

"I think I understand what the fans want in terms of how they want a Sunderland team to be. I think that is every single game we’ll have a good go. Some we’ll lose, some we’ll win. I appreciate that I'll have to answer questions whatever the outcome is."

"Tony spoke to me after the game on Saturday so I was aware of the situation before it came out on Monday.

"I felt it was important that the players heard it from me on Monday before it broke on social media, so I spoke to the players on Monday about it.

"It's amazing when something like this happens to a good man, you don't realise the influence they've had on you.

"Sunday was a very difficult day for me personally, and the other staff, Alessandro and Michael Proctor, we are really disappointed for Tony. I know the dressing room were upset on Monday.

"Everyone associated with the football club we wish him all the best.

"I have spoke to him. I have spoken to Tony. He's obviously going through what he's going through and then in the week he has the class to pick the phone up to me and wish me all the best, and say some really nice things about me when he has his own personal things going on. We hope he’s back in the dugout as soon as possible.”

That brings us to the end of the broadcast section of the press conference but Dodds has also spoken to the written press, including our reporter Phil Smith.

We'll have more from the Black Cats interim boss and build-up to Saturday's match over on the SAFC section of the Echo website.