Meanwhile, Quinn admits he is a relieved man after opting to play a waiting game on Bruce. He took a monumental gamble in persevering with Sbragia until the summer – when he thought the Black Cats would have a better chance of nabbing the Latics chief.

“I did consider going for Steve when Wigan were sixth in the league and we were next to bottom. I don’t think it would have been worth our while but he would have been at the top of our list,” he said.

“We took a gamble and it’s gone our way. It came off and we won the horse race by a photo finish – we were able to do it.

“I have had gambling instinct in me and I felt Ricky would lift us, and he did. We had a dip, he pulled us up again and it didn’t go for us, but we got over the line.”

With that turmoil behind them, Sunderland will now concentrate on building for the future.

Quinn and Bruce both depart for holidays today, with the new Black Cats boss promising his family that there will be no swift return to the UK this time.

But the pair expect plenty of progress on the recruitment front rather than relaxation.

“We both realise that we have to be continually active. We will have our ears to the ground,” Quinn said.

“We will both have a holiday. We will be on the e-mail and phone all day probably, but it will make a difference to having sea and sand outside instead of looking out at the Bob Stokoe statue. We are off and running again with new enthusiasm.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland have confirmed that they will take part in the Amsterdam tournament next month.

They will join host club Ajax, Atletico Madrid and Benfica for the tournament at the Amsterdam Arena between July 24 and 26.

WIGAN are set to replace Steve Bruce with former Latics player Roberto Martinez.

Owner Dave Whelan is confident a deal to bring in the Spaniard will be concluded today after being given permission to speak to the 35-year -old by Swansea City.