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Jack Ross is the Sunderland manager, having taken the role in the summer of 2018.

New Black Cats owner Stewart Donald agreed a deal with Ross that saw the 41-year-old earn five-times his salary at St Mirren.

Donald revealed on TalkSport that he had agreed terms with a new manager and said he was excited to get the deal done.

And there was a busy summer, with a big squad overhaul undertaken.

So who is the new man in the hotseat at the Stadium of Light? Here’s everything you need to know about the ex-St Mirren boss.

Career to date

The 41-year-old began coaching after a 16-year playing career which included an unsuccessful spell at Hartlepool United.

He started as a coach, working with Dumbarton and then Hearts before landing his first management job at Alloa Athletic in December 2015.

He was unable to prevent the part-timers being relegated from the Scottish Championship, but was handed a new deal and stayed on in the summer of 2016. He departed in October to take over at St Mirren in the Championship. At the time Alloa were second in the first division and had been praised widely after holding Celtic to a goalless draw for 83 minutes of a cup tie before succumbing to two late goals.

It was at St Mirren where Ross has really made his name as one of Scotland’s brightest young managers, however. Replacing former Sunderland player Alex Rae, He took over the Paisley club while bottom of the Championship and guided them to safety. Last season he then led them to the Scottish Championship title. He was voted SFA Manager of the Year, beating Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers to the gong.

Style of play

Ross’ St Mirren side became known for their attacking, fan-friendly football.

Playing the ball on the ground and out from the back, his football is pleasing on the eye and usually leads to plenty of goals. In 36 games they scored 63 last season and finished 12 points clear of Livingston.

His preferred formation for the Buddies was a 4-3-2-1 which in attacking scenarios quite often resembled a 4-3-3 and was said to have been very fluid.

Tactically aware, his side could be organised and strong defensively when needed too. After a testing Scottish Cup tie, Celtic’s Rodgers described St Mirren as ‘the best team we have played’ back in March.

Since taking charge at Sunderland he's shown his abilities at changing tactics mid-match when needing and proving his talents at changing a game with his tactical tweaks.

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Man management

St Mirren’s players regularly spoke of the great atmosphere at the club since his arrival.

His training methods have been described as ‘modern and enjoyable’.

Midfielder Cammy Smith praised his boss’ influence in his own career saying: “It is not a surprise to see him linked with these jobs - but we know he likes this squad, we know he likes coming in to work, and we are the same so we are confident we will all stay together.

“When I came on loan in January it was a bit different because every game was a must-win for us.

“But, from day one I have been very impressed, even when he phoned me to ask if I was interested to come to St Mirren for game-time.

“He was exactly what I needed - and he still is.

“He has been brilliant for me personally. I enjoy playing under him and I enjoy playing under the whole coaching staff here.”

Indeed at Sunderland, he set about changing the mentality at the club, with many players noting how much better things were since his arrival. Lee Cattermole's upturn in form has been credited to Ross reinvigorating the veteran midfielder.

(Image: DAILY RECORD)

Transfer record

Sunderland needed a massive squad overhaul this summer and Ross certainly had experience of that.

Having been at the St Mirren Ground for just two months, Ross sold ten players in his first January window and signed just as many. It paid off, with the Buddies marching on to safety.

He wasn’t given much of a budget in the summer but had signed the bulk of his squad in that January window and just added to it with some freebies and one or two loan arrivals.

Largely, his signings were Scottish players as he used his contacts to get players in. However, there were a few came in from England.

Only one player came in from abroad (Pal Fjelde, Norway) and he didn’t play much.

In his first window at Sunderland he brought 12 new players in and it should be noted that many are now key players. Ten games in and Sunderland fans voted two - Jon McLaughlin and Chris Maguire - as the best players this term so far.

Working with youngsters

Sunderland have a great core of young players at the club, and fans will be delighted to hear that Ross has been no stranger to using younger players during his time there.

Perhaps a selling point to the new ownership, he also developed three of those youngsters enough to warrant bigger clubs to come in and buy them, making much-needed money for the club.

Kyle McAllister moved to Derby, Stevie Mallan (22) was sold to Barnsley last summer and Lewis Morgan was sold to Celtic before being loaned back for the season.

At Sunderland, he continued that trend, using Josh Maja regularly, while also showing faith in other academy graduated such as Denver Hume and Bali Mumba.

Relationship with the fans

When first linked with Ipswich, David MacDonald, editor of the Black and White Army website, told the East Anglian Daily Times: “He’s a really good guy.

“Almost the best thing that Jack did for us was, at time when the relationship between the fans and the club and the players wasn’t particularly healthy, over the last 15 months really bond that relationship.

“The whole club is completely united and he’s played a massive part in that. Things going better on the pitch helps but the way in which he conducts himself is brilliant.

“He takes time out to attend fan functions, to engage with the supporters, and the way he talks to the media is really good. He talks really well.

“If he sits down in front of you he’s a very impressive individual. He’s not like a lot of football managers who are just full of clichés – he thinks about what he says and what he says makes a lot of sense.”

Sunderland fans have quickly taken to him.

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High in demand

Ross ticked many boxes that Sunderland needed, but that was also the case for many others too.

He was wanted by Ipswich having been given permission earlier in the summer to speak to them. The y went with Paul Hirst, but he's having a bad start there.

He was a contender to replace ex-Sunderland player Paul Heckingbottom at Barnsley too, but opted to see out the season with St Mirren.

He was also made favourite to replace Dereck McInnes at Aberdeen when it looked like he’d be off to Rangers. Much like with Sunderland last summer, McInnes ultimately opted to stay at Pittodrie instead.

As well as that, Ross himself has not been afraid to reveal his high aspirations of one day managing the Scottish national side.

It’s clear that in Ross, Sunderland bagged themselves a highly-regarded, highly sought after, young, modern-thinking, ambitious manager.

Sunderland career to date

After a busy summer in the transfer market, Jack Ross has made a solid start to life as Sunderland manager.

A strong start to the league campaign, coupled with entertaining performances mean Black Cats fans have really bought into their new managers plans to move the club forward.

Ross has never shied away from the fact anything less than automatic promotion won't be good enough.