Ricky took over in December following four games as caretaker Manager after Roy Keane walked out of the club. Sunderland won only three out of the nineteen games under Sbragia, but that turned out to be just enough to survive another season in the premier league.
But the stresses and strains of managing a premiership team took its toll as Ricky called it today straight after Sunderland's final game of the season. However the Scotsman will remain at the club in a player recruitment and coaching role.
Ricky spoke about taking the Sunderland reins, "I could have ducked out of the issue and been happy just being a coach. But when you get an offer to manage Sunderland Football Club, you can't really refuse it, to be honest with you."
"I tried my best, my record in wins and losses hasn't been the best, but we have stayed in the Premier League and that's what it is all about."
"I have been here as a coach many years, but we have got to kick on, we have got to make another appointment and I am really looking forward to next year."