SCOURING the market from his sunbed, Steve Bruce has revealed that Ellis Short’s millions have got him shopping in Harrod’s, rather than Tesco.
The new Sunderland boss boasts a proud record of bargain buys during a decade in management, and means to continue that trend.
Though he has received Short’s personal backing, Bruce claims not to have talked transfer budgets and while he has irons in fires, nothing specific is imminent.
Not while he has licence to begin targeting a different calibre of player than he has in the past.
“I’ll scour the market and see what’s available,” Bruce said from his Portuguese holiday home.
“June tends to be pretty quiet with a lot of managers on their summer break. The jostling for position hasn’t really started yet but I’ll scour around before I lie on my sunbed!
“I haven’t had a conversation about how much money there is available but I have spoken to the owner and he doesn’t want to be involved at the bottom (of the Premier League) again. He did say he’ll back me.
“I’ve always been good value for money in the transfer market, and I’ll always try to be. But I’m looking at players I’ve never looked at before. It’s like shopping in Harrods now, not Tesco.
“I don’t have specific targets just yet but I do have one or two ideas up my sleeve.”
Bruce added that he had always dreamed of managing a “big” club and that Sunderland’s stature ensured it took little in the way of selling. “I’m delighted about the challenge, Sunderland are a big club and it’s a big opportunity,” he said.
“You hope to manage a big club, it’s what you work for.
“It’s my job to get a team on the pitch and make sure we improve and go forward.
“It’s a lot of pressure but it always is, that’s what we’re in it for. Sunderland had the seventh highest attendances in the Premier League last season, but they were never outside the bottom half of the table.
“That shows what a loyal fanbase they have, and they have great facilities, too. I’ve got to thank Wigan Athletic. The Sunderland job came out of the blue, apparently they held a board meeting and made me their number one target. Dave Whelan said as long as Wigan received compensation, I was welcome to talk to Sunderland, and make a decision.
“The talks between Niall (Quinn) and myself were short, he didn’t have to sell it to me. Niall’s an ex-player so I’m sure we’ll get along very well.
“Going back to the North East appealed anyway, and then there’s the size of the club.”