Quinn will attempt to revive Sunderland's fortunes this season

The former striker, who is also in line to take over as chairman, admits his reign may yet be short-lived.

He takes over with the Championship season kicking off in just over two weeks, but revealed he could step aside if a top-class boss becomes available.

Quinn admitted: "If it takes three months to get to a point where we can bring in a new manager then great, I will gladly walk away."

News conference: Sunderland manager Niall Quinn

After announcing his consortium had bought a controlling stake in the club earlier this month, Quinn made his first task to find a new manager for the club.

606 VIEW He's undoubtedly got the club's best interests at heart first and foremost - he's got a massive job on though MT 606: Have your say

But he has been frustrated in his attempts to fill the role, with moves for former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill and Bolton manager Sam Allardyce both coming to nothing.

And on Monday, following their 2-0 win over Shelbourne, former Republic of Ireland international Quinn outlined his proposal to take over at a board meeting.

But he made it clear his intention is to fill in until he can attract the right calibre of manager.

He said: "When I was in full flow with the club three months ago, becoming manager is not something I thought I would be doing.

"But it has transpired that way, even though the group who are backing me could not have been more ambitious in trying to attract a world-class manager.

"What happened is that we decided we would try to attempt the first hurdle because what we have to do is try to stop the slide, to turn the corner.

"We have to gather momentum, and then to lift it so that we get to a point where I can pick the phone up, go to a world-class manager and hopefully with the position we are then in, say to him 'come now'."

On 3 July, Quinn announced his Drumaville consortium had been successful with a �10m offer for the north-east club.

He was given 21 days to try and gain the rest of the shares in the club as he attempts to gain full control.