Sunderland manager job interests Slaven Bilic, says his agent
May 28 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
His major advantage over Bilic is familiarity with the club game and the Premier League, and a hugely impressive track record with Wigan and Birmingham City.
While Bilic is yet to work outside the sphere of international football, and has only been a coach for five years, Bruce has 11 years of hard graft in English management to his credit. But despite the board’s interest in Bruce, Sunderland have let it known they have other options after growing frustrated at the way it is being handled in the North West.
Black Cats club sources let it be known yesterday they would not be pursuing their interest in Bruce, partially out of disappointment at the way their interest had been leaked.
Claims Wigan are looking for between £3m and £5m in compensation did not go down well on Wearside, and neither did the premature reports the club had permission to talk to the Latics manager.
While Short is prepared to plunge millions into Sunderland to make them a force in the top flight, he will not want to be pressurised into spending more than he needs to, especially with other options like Bilic.
The £5m compensation may be increased if Bruce, as expected, wants to bring influential assistant Eric Black and other members of his Latics backroom staff.
It leaves the club apparently ready to move away from Bruce and on to other targets, but it would be foolish to discount the possibility of Bruce taking on the job entirely.
The Wigan manager has not publicly ruled out the possibility of talking to Sunderland, and privately he would be keen on the challenge of breaking into the Premier League top 10 with the Black Cats. Those chances have been boosted by the Short takeover, which was confirmed yesterday.
The American financier takes majority control while Quinn remains chairman of a slimmed-down Sunderland board, which will no longer include non-executive directors John Ryan (former Drumaville chairman), Pat Bierne, John Hays, Charlie Chawke and Owen McGartoll.
“This is fantastic news for the club,” Quinn said.
“Ellis has already shown tremendous commitment to date, but today’s announcement opens the door for a new era at the Stadium of Light.”
