Former Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn hopes the club's new management structure is successful.

Sunderland will go into the new season with the director of football, Roberto de Fanti, working above manager Paolo di Canio.

Quinn said: "It's obviously a new approach for Sunderland and I really wish them well and I hope it works great.

"There's a new regime in there now and I really hope it works. It's really curious - everyone is waiting to see how it works and there is something there.

"The manager Paolo Di Canio seems to be a very good coach and a very good organiser.

"Maybe what he needs is somebody to help him with the other stuff.

"The fact that it is a friend of his and his people in the background may work.

"There is the opposite at Newcastle it seems but you never know until it plays out. I really hope it works."