Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips is delighted with the appointment of Sam Allardyce as new manager.

The Leicester City coach wrote for the Sunday Sun: "Of all the names linked with the Sunderland job since Dick Advocaat left, Sam Allardyce was my pick.

"Big Sam was not the only choice - I worked with Nigel Pearson at Leicester City last season and he kept the club in the Premier League - but if you had pushed me to name the one person I think could keep Sunderland up, Allardyce would have been the one.

"He has the experience, the know-how and the record that Sunderland were looking for to replace Advocaat.

"And I have to say I was not too surprised to see Advocaat resign last weekend."