Sunderland football chief Roberto de Fanti is against the fulltime appointment of caretaker manager Kevin Ball, it has been revealed.
The Mirror says Ball will meet owner Ellis Short this week and put his case to become full-time manager, with the caretaker now among the serious contenders for the post.
However the former Sunderland skipper is heading for a clash with Italian director of football De Fanti. He is looking for a boss who will improve the players he recruited.
Ball wants to find the best team - with the 'old' team being given a chance - and that may count against him in the process.
