Mick McCarthy is asking Sunderland fans to be patient as they wait for new faces to arrive at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats chief has to sell before he can add to his squad and he said: "I can't tell clubs to buy my players," and admits the fate of his most famous stars is out of his hands.
The First Division season begins in less than five weeks and the transfer market it yet to come to life. The former Republic of Ireland manager returned for pre-season training last week to be greeted by all of the men who were widely tipped to leave Wearside following their relegation.
High-profile players such as Kevin Phillips, Michael Gray, Gavin McCann, Tore Andre Flo and even Lilian Laslandes were among the familiar faces on the first day of pre-season, and with Thomas Sorensen and Claudio Reyna to return from internationals, that number will swell.
McCarthy has to trim his squad to cope with the financial problems which come with relegation.
However, although plenty of clubs have shown interest, there have been few bids, and with the Black Cats' first pre-season game scheduled for this Saturday at Durham City, McCarthy could be selecting from the same squad which failed last season.
"I think there was some misconception at the end of last season - everyone though that all these moves were just going to happen," he told the club's official website.
"It will happen and players will start going because managers like to have fresh faces.
"But I don't have control over when they go. I can't get hold of other clubs and tell them to take our players just because it'll give me scope to bring someone in.
"There is no time scale on things, though it would be nice to have people in before the season starts. But I'm philosophical about it. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, I will work with what I've got."
The Black Cats chief is desperate to shake up his squad after a hugely disappointing Barclaycard Premiership campaign, when he was in charge for the final nine games. But the manager has taken heart from the attitude of the players since they returned to training last week.
He added: "We were relegated and it was a sad thing for the fans, the club, the players and me.
"But you have to pick yourself up and get on with it. There's no point starting the new season thinking, 'We were awful last season'.
"I'm encouraged by the players and the way they have gone about training since they came back. They are here to work hard and they are in good shape. They're not wandering around with sad looks on their faces. They need to be upbeat and that's what I've told them.
"They have to get fit for the clubs they are going to or to be ready to do their job for Sunderland Football Club.
"While they're here and being paid by this club, I expect nothing but 100 per cent, and that's what I'm getting."
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