Bruce is happy to follow cup rival’s example

Oct 25 2009 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

“They are the kind of club that we have to follow.

“As far as the stability here is concerned and the backing I have had from the owner and the chairman, I am very happy.

“The club’s in great nick and it’s as good a job as anybody could wish to have.

“I feel very privileged to have been given the manager’s job, because I know there were some big, big names in the frame before I got the nod.”

Bruce appreciates the backing he has received from Short and chairman Niall Quinn all the more after enduring a very different experience towards the end of his six-year stint in charge of yesterday’s opponents Birmingham.

Takeover talks between Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung and then-owners David Sullivan and David Gold in 2007 undermined Bruce’s position, with Yeung making it clear that he would appoint a new manager if he bought the club.

But Bruce decided to jump before he was pushed and left to take over at Wigan, but his departure was acrimonious with Sullivan and Gold quibbling over money.

In the event, Yeung’s takeover was only completed earlier this month – almost two years later.

Bruce said: “I was left high and dry at the time.

“A possible takeover was on the cards and it became harder to manage.

“It was a very difficult time because I was caught between two boards – one saying they wanted me, one saying they were not so sure.

“I think people knew I was in a difficult position where I was being undermined and when a manager is being undermined, he has no choice but to leave.”