DEREK MCINNES is set to be named as the new Sunderland boss within the next 24 hours after they agreed a financial settlement with Aberdeen last night.

McInnes is braced to replace fellow Scot David Moyes after the Black Cats agreed a £1m compensation package with the Pittodrie club.

Aberdeen assistant Tony Docherty will join McInnes at the Stadium of Light, with long-serving Sunderland coach Paul Bracewell having been told he is free to leave.

The moves came at the end of dramatic day on Wearside after Aberdeen “reluctantly” gave permission to Sunderland to speak to McInnes.

The Black Cats had targeted McInnes to replace David Moyes, who left in the wake of their relegation to the Championship last season after he was recommended by former Scotland and Rangers boss Walter Smith to chief executive Martin Bain, with whom he worked at Ibrox.

McInnes re-emerged as the clear favourite to succeed Moyes after another prospective candidate, Garry Monk, was unveiled by north-east neighbours Middlesbrough in Monday.

The 45-year-old led St Johnstone to the Scottish First Division title before taking Aberdeen to second place in the top-flight behind champions Celtic.
McInnes still has two years of his contract to run at Pittodrie and Sunderland’s willingness to pay the reported £1million compensation overcomes a major obstacle to his appointment.

Earlier in the day, however, Aberdeen threatened to play hardball over the move.

The Pittodrie club’s new major shareholder Dave Cormack has big plans for the club and was known to be desperate to convince his manager to stay.

He had earlier issued a stern “hands-off” warning to Sunderland over any approach for McInnes.

Cormack said: “Derek is extremely happy here. It’s not just down to money. He’s a very astute individual.”

He said had not indicated any desire to leave.

“Talking to the chairman [Stewart Milne], his family are very happy here,” added Cormack. “We are 100 per cent focused on getting ready for next season. We’re only 10-12 days away from the players coming back. And so it’s not a great position to be in.”

But their opposition crumbled last night when McInnes made it clear he wanted the chance to take the reins at the Stadium of Light.

He previously had an unsuccessful stint at Bristol City and feels he has unfinished business to prove himself in England.

Meanwhile, the new manager’s transfer budget will be made up from the proceeds of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s £30million move to Everton with that deal set to go through this week.

McInnes, however, will not be afforded any of the parachute payments Sunderland will receive following their relegation to the Championship and he will have to generate any extra funds through player sales.