NEW York City player-boss Chris Brass faces a baptism of fire when he pits his wits against former World Cup boss Mick McCarthy next month.

Brass - unveiled as City's youngest-ever manager - will open his account in the hot-seat with a tasty friendly against relegation-stung Sunderland on July 16 at Bootham Crescent.

A fortnight later he will come face-to-face with the first Brazilian manager in British football when newly-installed Marcio Maximo Barcellos brings Scottish side Livingston to Bootham Crescent.

Barcellos, 40, is highly-rated, having nurtured World Cup winners Ronaldo and Manchester United target Ronaldinho during his time as coach of Brazil's Under-17 and U20 sides.

The Brazilian had been technical director for the Grand Cayman Islands for three years before yesterday's move to Scotland.

Although his appointment gives the July 31 encounter with City an extra edge, the Sunderland game will be extra special for Brass.

The opening pre-season friendly for the 2003-04 campaign will not only give City fans a chance to see the array of talents still at the Blacks Cats despite their relegation from the Premiership, but also the opportunity to witness the dawning of a new era for the Minstermen.

At 27 and 34 respectively, Brass and his assistant Lee Nogan are mere babes in the world of football management and they will find themselves having to outmanoeuvre the man who led Ireland to their colourful run in the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea/Japan if they are to start their axis with a win.

And for Easington-born Brass, it will be a doubly special day as he not only takes charge of his first-ever match, but finds himself against the team he grew up supporting.

"I will have a real proud feeling for that first game," Brass told the Evening Press. "I'm a Sunderland fan, so to face the side I supported as a kid will be an honour.

"It will be tough as Sunderland are a great team, but it will be a great pull for us.

"That will be my first team out there and it will be quite a proud moment to walk out with my team against a top Nationwide team."

Although it seems Barnsley-born McCarthy has been around for an age, the former Manchester City and Celtic defender himself was a sprightly 32-year-old when he took he first tentative steps into management at Millwall.

Brass will be looking to draw from the knowledge of McCarthy who has experienced the highs of leading Ireland into the last 16 of the World Cup and the lows of battling against relegation with Sunderland.

"I'm not nave enough to think I know everything," he added. "I will speak to people who have been around in the game like Mick McCarthy and ask their honest opinions on things.

"We have a good relationship with Sunderland and I want to continue that, it is the way forward for this club and I will draw from their experience."

Updated: 11:02 Friday, June 06, 2003