Steve Bruce is manager - even if relegated says Quinn

Mar 12 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

NIALL Quinn is so confident Steve Bruce is the right manager for Sunderland he would not even sack him if the Black Cats lost every single one of their remaining ten games this season.

Bruce guided Sunderland to their first win in 15 games against Bolton on Tuesday night to move six points above the dreaded drop zone.

But, even while the Black Cats were being dragged into an unexpected battle against relegation, Bruce retained the unwavering backing of Quinn and owner Ellis Short.

Chairman Quinn is adamant Bruce is the man to take the club forward long term as he lavished praise on the former Manchester United defender and urged fans to show the same patience towards him.

“I can assure you now that even if we don’t win another game between now and the end of the season, Steve Bruce will be manager here next year,” said Quinn, who confirmed every single member of the Sunderland squad – as well as Bruce – would take a 40% pay cut in the event of relegation.

“If we go down, he’ll still be manager. I just feel he shares the same passion that the fans have, the owner has, we all have. And he does it in a diligent way.

“The way he carries himself and projects our club is everything we wanted. We’re trying to make a step up in the toughest league in the world.

“We know it’s going to take guts and determination and hard work, aligned with other stuff, like a good transfer policy, getting things right tactically and in terms of motivation.

“The pressure in the Premier League is incredible and there were some tough knock backs, but we think he’s the right man to get this club where we all want it to be.”