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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has praised the club's hierarchy for showing a "real desire and concentrated effort" this season, after the Black Cats qualified for Europa League football just four years on from being in League One.
It is also the first time Sunderland have qualified for European football in 53 years.
Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle about the achievement, Gabbiadini said: "It has been difficult watching our biggest rivals going to and performing well in huge matches [on the European stage], and even coming away with the plaudits.
"Sunderland have obviously won the local derby trophy for so many years, but now the European football question mark has been answered.
"The club is making steps to becoming a regular top 10 team in the Premier League, that is what the plan is heading towards.
"It won't be easy to do though, because that middle sixth to 12th place in the league is probably the tightest area.
"You can win a couple of games on the bounce, like Sunderland did, and you can just fly up the league - and obviously vice-versa if you lose a couple of games on the bounce.
"It was a fantastic way to finish the season but hopefully this is 'only the beginning', as Granit Xhaka said in his speech on the field.
"The fact the club still wants more is really, really exciting. There seems to be a real desire and concentrated effort to make that happen. It has been a while since we have been in a position like this."
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It is also the first time Sunderland have qualified for European football in 53 years.
Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle about the achievement, Gabbiadini said: "It has been difficult watching our biggest rivals going to and performing well in huge matches [on the European stage], and even coming away with the plaudits.
"Sunderland have obviously won the local derby trophy for so many years, but now the European football question mark has been answered.
"The club is making steps to becoming a regular top 10 team in the Premier League, that is what the plan is heading towards.
"It won't be easy to do though, because that middle sixth to 12th place in the league is probably the tightest area.
"You can win a couple of games on the bounce, like Sunderland did, and you can just fly up the league - and obviously vice-versa if you lose a couple of games on the bounce.
"It was a fantastic way to finish the season but hopefully this is 'only the beginning', as Granit Xhaka said in his speech on the field.
"The fact the club still wants more is really, really exciting. There seems to be a real desire and concentrated effort to make that happen. It has been a while since we have been in a position like this."
Listen to the full conversation above or listen on BBC Sounds
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