NEW Sunderland boss Steve Bruce believes he takes up his new role a “50 times better” manager than when he started a decade ago.

Bruce signed a three-year contract at Sunderland yesterday, making the Black Cats the seventh club of his 11-year managerial career. And, while the days when he was considered a managerial nomad are behind him after embarking on projects at both Birmingham and Wigan, Bruce believes that he is a much better boss for the early troubles he encountered.

Certainly chairman Niall Quinn believes that the Black Cats and Bruce are a good fit – he revealed that he was close to approaching the Wigan boss to take over at the Stadium of Light in January but feared it would be jumping the gun.

He opted for Ricky Sbragia instead, prompting some anxious moments towards the end of the season, but under Bruce’s astute tutelage those days of relegation trouble should be over. “I’m 50 times better now. When I was young I was hot-headed. But I did have a real tough baptism to it,” Bruce said.

“My first year at Sheffield United I had six chief executives and I found that very difficult. But it has been worthwhile because the experience that you learn down there stands you in good stead.

“I do believe (that) in management you do get better because you handle things a bit better than you did then.

“So, as I said, I think the timing is right for me to take this on. I think I have done nearly 500 games as a manager so the time is right to take on this challenge.

“The first two or three years of management, if it wasn’t really written on the brochure what was in front of me, then I would sulk or get a pet lip or whatever you want to call it.

“But I have learnt now that it is not always what is written in the brochure. So I go into it with my eyes wide open.”