Sunderland manager Chris Coleman has revealed that he plans to continue managing the Black Cats even if the club are relegated from the Championship this season.
The team, who prop up the second tier, are five points adrift of safety with nine games remaining this term, having won just five in the campaign.
Coleman, who has two years left on his deal in the North-East, told the Newcastle Chronicle that he has no intentions of jumping ship if the club's drop to League One is confirmed.
"My contract is this season plus two more," he said. "I have to be careful what I say because I don't want people to think I am being defeatist – which I'm certainly not – but it's not about what league we are in, it will be about who owns the club and what is the plan. Because they might not have me in their plans. If I'm not here, it won't be because I have said 'that's it'.
"I came here because I wanted to manage Sunderland AFC, and it will still be Sunderland AFC at the end of the season no matter where it is, and I very much want to be a part of that. I want to be here, that's what I signed up for. I wouldn't have signed the contract otherwise.
"I came here when we were in the bottom three, there was no guarantee that we would stay up, I was hoping that we would pull away [from the relegation zone], but it hasn't quite materialised. I've not pulled up any trees here yet, I know that. But I came here to manage Sunderland AFC, in whatever league that is."
Sunderland's next fixture sees them face Preston North End at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Jonny Whitfield
