Steve Bruce favourite ahead of Roberto Mancini for SAFC job

Jun 1 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

“I said to Steve and to Niall that if you are going to do a deal, do it quickly. Niall spoke to me and said, ‘I understand we can’t mess about on this and by Sunday evening we will have a decision for you.

“I think Steve has always harboured a desire to return to the North East, be that with Sunderland or Newcastle. And he told me as soon as Sunderland showed an interest.”

If Sunderland do cough up the £3million in compensation, they will expect further expenditure in bringing Bruce’s backroom staff with him from Wigan. Money to cover the cost of employing his number two Eric Black, goalkeeping coach Michael Spink and possibly director of football John Benson will all have to be found.

In Sunderland’s favour is Bruce’s desire to take the job, which remains firm despite the fact that the deal has hit a snag. The former Birmingham boss knows that his boyhood support of Newcastle United means that he is not the first choice of all Black Cats fans, but expects to be given a fair chance if he does take over. Many Sunderland supporters would have been impressed by the candidature of Mancini, who has won three Serie A titles with Inter Milan.

But his agent poured cold water on earlier quotes attributed to his client saying that he had an offer from Sunderland.

“Mancini is aware of those reports,” Giorgio de Giorgis said.

“But we have not received an offer, nor have we been in touch with anyone from Sunderland.

“There has been interest from English teams but Sunderland is not one of them. However, no official offers have been made.”