Chief executive Martin Bain was delighted to secure his clear first choice for the managerial vacancy at the Stadium of Light.
Chris Coleman took the reins on Sunday, penning a two-and-a-half-year deal on Wearside following a successful six-year tenure in charge of the Welsh national team.
Following the departure of Simon Grayson, Sunderland’s CEO led an in-depth search for a new boss, with all signs soon pointing to one man.
“From the beginning of the process, you need to look at a club’s DNA and also recognise that football is a business which changes from week to week," Bain said.
“I didn’t just sit down on my own; I spoke to various people within the club, and one or two outside on a confidential basis, to build up a profile of the person we were looking for.
“Out of that process, the number one choice was Chris Coleman and it always was, though I kept that close to my chest. I felt throughout that he would be perfect for us.
“That’s in terms of an impact now, but also the ability to lead and build. That’s hard to find and Chris has it in abundance.
“No job offers were made to anyone but Chris Coleman.”
Throughout the search for a new boss, Bain was aware of the external clamour for information as a whole host of names were linked with the position.
His intentions – the appointment of Coleman – were well disguised all along, with rumours surrounding the Welshman not picking up traction until late in the process.
“I’ve been in the game long enough to know that there's been a lot of noise out there in terms of whether Sunderland know what they’re doing,” he explained.
“We had all sorts of people linked with the job, and people throwing their name in the hat as if they’d spoken to me in the first place.
“You just have to ignore the noise and keep focused on the job.
“You’re never going to win any popularity contests when you’re the chief executive.
“My pressure wasn’t personal; it was that all the people here and the supporters of the football club needed to see that this club still has the ability to attract good people - and it does.”
Alongside Coleman’s appointment, Kit Symons has taken on the role of assistant manager having been a long-time lieutenant of the former Fulham defender.
Now attention turns to the future, with a message having been duly sent about Sunderland’s continuing status as one of the big clubs in the English game.
“Chris Coleman coming here emphasises what this football club stands for - its stature, tradition and fanbase.
“Chris has done fantastic work and that’s the side people will see. Another massive side to Chris is that he is a highly skilled practitioner in terms of knowledge of football at the highest level.
“Ultimately it’s about what Chris does with the team and in the dressing room, and the impact he has there is also impressive.
“It’s sometimes overlooked but Kit is a very experienced guy, and the fact we’re bringing two highly experienced people into the building in a partnership is a big box ticked for me.
“I do think that Chris Coleman coming here will remind people that we are a massive club, we have been for a long time and we will be back.”
