Steve Bruce is right man for job, insists Gary Pallister

Jun 5 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

Gary Pallister played more than 200 games alongside Steve Bruce and believes he can lead Sunderland to the Premier League’s ‘next level’. Mark Douglas reports

SUNDERLAND’S under-achievers will meet their match in new boss Steve Bruce, according to the man who served with distinction alongside him during his playing days.

Former Middlesbrough and Manchester United defender Gary Pallister remains close to his ex-Red Devils colleague and believes that he is the right man to turn Sunderland from perennial Premier League strugglers into top-flight force.

He should know. Few partnerships in the modern era have been as formidable as that of Bruce and Pallister, who helped Manchester United to three Premier League titles back in the days before Sir Alex Ferguson had felt the tap of cold steel on his shoulder.

While he still feels that Bruce has plenty to drive his reputation into the ‘world class’ category, he sees Sunderland and Bruce as a marriage made in heaven.

And he dismisses the reservations of some Black Cats supporters about Bruce’s past affiliations with Newcastle United, which he feels will disintegrate when his former team-mate sets about transforming the playing personnel.

One of Sunderland’s myriad problems last season was tension in the dressing room, with newcomers like Pascal Chimbonda and El-Hadji Diouf upsetting the harmony that helped the Black Cats stay up the season before.

While Ricky Sbragia rid the club of the troublemakers, he seemed to have problems inspiring the remaining players to fulfil their undoubted potential. Bruce’s careful and skilful man-management could hold the key to unlocking their talent, according to Pallister. “I think it’s a good appointment for Sunderland. He’s experienced enough, that’s for sure,” he said.

“What you find with Steve is that he’s up-front and he’s honest, which players like. If you work hard for him, he will back you to the hilt.

“But if you mess him about, well he doesn’t suffer fools gladly. You saw the way that he dealt with Amr Zaki – he came out and said it like it was, that he was unprofessional and that it was time for him to start pulling his weight.

“I’m not entirely sure what the truth is but there’s been talk of that at Sunderland, certain individuals in the dressing room being difficult to handle.

“I think Steve is realistic. You can’t be a saint all your life and he’s shown that sort of patience and understanding (with some players). But, if it (a player’s behaviour or attitude) becomes a problem, then Steve is strong enough to deal with that.

“He’s watched how his manager at Manchester United dealt with things and I think he took a lot from that. Good man-management is so important and I think if you talk to players who have played under Steve, they will say that he has got that in abundance.”