Chris Rigg reveals which Sunderland player would be a perfect manager - He "never shuts up!" | OneFootball

Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg has predicted which of his team-mates will make the best manager in the future.

Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg believes defender Luke O'Nien is most likely to become a manager in the future out of his current teammates.

After coming through the club's academy, Rigg established himself in the Sunderland first-team this campaign, and he was named Championship Apprentice of the Season at the EFL Awards in April.

To complete a memorable season, Rigg was also part of the Black Cats side that won promotion back to the Premier League following a 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the play-off final at Wembley on Saturday.

Despite still being just 17 years of age, Rigg was named in the starting line-up by head coach Regis Le Bris, but he was substituted just before the hour mark with his side trailing 1–0 thanks to Tyrese Campbell's 25th-minute opener, and the deficit could have been greater if Harrison Burrows' strike had not been ruled out for offside.

Le Bris' substitutions certainly changed the game for his side, and after Eliezer Mayenda equalised in the 76th minute, Tommy Watson won it in the fifth minute of stoppage time to seal Sunderland's return to the top flight following an eight-year absence, during which time they even spent four seasons languishing in League One.

Chris Rigg issues Luke O'Nien management prediction

Ahead of the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United, Rigg answered questions on a range of topics for the matchday programme, and among those, the midfielder was quizzed on which of his teammates would make the best manager (page 87).

Rigg was in no doubt which of his fellow Sunderland stars could potentially have a future in the dugout, humorously claiming: "Luke O'Nien - He never shuts up!"

O'Nien joined the Black Cats from Wycombe Wanderers in the summer of 2018 following their relegation to League One, and he has gone on to make 314 appearances for the club over the past seven years, earning something of a cult hero status in the process.

The 30-year-old has been the subject of praise from players, managers and supporters during his time at the Stadium of Light, but he has perhaps not received a more glowing review than that of former boss Tony Mowbray, who correctly predicted that he would reach the Premier League one day.

"Luke O'Nien - there are people here who know him better than I do, but what I would say is that I don't think I've ever managed a better human being than Luke O'Nien," Mowbray told Chronicle Live in December 2022.

"He just does everything right, he is an amazing guy.

"If anything, he overworks the coaches because he wants to watch every touch he has had in every game and see what he can do better. Then he wants to go out and practice and practice and practice.

"He's a kid that, again, I didn't really study his history but if he started at Wycombe as a young boy, and he has made massive strides in his career, I'm sure that if Sunderland don't keep on progressing, that kid will find a way to get to the Premier League himself. He is an amazing kid."

While O'Nien has now fulfilled Mowbray's prediction of getting to the top flight, it is fair to say he achieved it in unexpected fashion after being forced off in the opening minutes of Saturday's victory at Wembley with a dislocated shoulder.

In iconic scenes, O'Nien was pictured sprinting down the touchline, despite his arm being in a sling, to celebrate with his Sunderland teammates after their promotion success, and speaking post-match, he admitted that he had "never had anxiety like it" while watching from the sidelines, and he joked that he had "covered more distance celebrating" than during his brief involvement in the game.

Sunderland supporters will surely agree with Chris Rigg's Luke O'Nien claims

Dan Neil may have worn the armband for Sunderland on the pitch during their promotion-winning campaign, but O'Nien is the club captain, and comments from his teammates and managers have made it clear just how influential he is in the dressing room.

With his leadership qualities, committed performances and infectious personality, O'Nien has become a true fan favourite during his time at the Stadium of Light, and it is easy to see why Rigg believes he could potentially make the transition to management in the future.

For now, though, O'Nien will be fully focused on helping the Black Cats establish themselves back in the Premier League, and having taken the club from League One to the top flight, he will be hoping that there are plenty more chapters still to come in his Wearside story.