Sbragia has accepted the permanent position after temporarily taking charge of the team at the start of December following the departure of Roy Keane.

The Club confirmed the appointment of Sbragia on an 18-month contract after the board met at the Academy of Light to ratify the decision.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said: " Ricky Sbragia is a thoroughly professional football person. We have been taken aback by how easily he has slotted into the managerial role and are really heartened by his intelligent approach in dealing with the players and the day to day rigours of the job.

"Ricky took up the reins when we were at low ebb and has without doubt revitalised the whole club. He is the unanimous choice of the executive board and will receive every support in his new role. The ownership of the club have also fully endorsed the appointment.

"I am sure all of our fans and the players too will give Ricky their full backing in his first senior management position."

Commenting on his appointment ahead of his side's trip to Liverpool in preparation for their match against Everton on Sunday, Sbragia said: "I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to manage a club as big as Sunderland and I am relishing the challenge ahead.

"My main priority is moving up the Premier League table and ensuring we have unity and stability at the club. I have been extremely pleased by the commitment shown by the players to date and the support we have all received from the fans.

"We travel to Merseyside this afternoon and I can hardly wait."

Sbragia, 52 joined Sunderland AFC a year ago as first-team coach following his arrival from Bolton Wanderers where he was joint caretaker manager after Sam Allardyce left the post in 2007.

Prior to his appointment as first-team coach at Bolton in 2005 he was Reserve Team Coach at Old Trafford from 2002. Ricky was Youth and later Reserve Team Coach at Sunderland AFC between 1994 and 2002, and Youth Team Coach at York City from 1986 to 2002.