Under-fire Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is safe, even if the club's poor run continues and they are relegated this season according to chairman Niall Quinn.

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Bruce led his side to a 4-0 win over relegation rivals Bolton in midweek, but it was their first maximum haul in 15 games. However, Quinn has given remarkable backing to his manager and claimed that even relegation would not bring him to question Bruce's position.

"If we go down, he'll still be the manager. I just feel he shares the same passion that the fans have, the owner has, we all have. And he does it in a diligent way. The way he carries himself and projects our club is everything we wanted," said Quinn.

"We're trying to make a step up in the toughest league in the world. We know it's going to take guts and determination and hard work aligned with other stuff like a good transfer policy, getting things right tactically and in terms of motivation.

"There were some tough knock-backs but we think he's the right man to get this club where we all want it."

However, Quinn did warn his players that universal wage cuts will be made in the event of relegation.

"There would be a 40% reduction in our salaries if we went down, players and senior staff like me. We could then breathe. People used to say you can't do it but we have for every new signing.

"We say to players don't come unless you are prepared to accept a penalty for failure. We have to have a performance-related wage structure."