Steve Bruce has sympathy for sacked Hughton
Dec 10 2010 by Matthew Leslie, The Journal
SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce has wished new North East rival Alan Pardew the best of luck but also expressed sympathy for former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton.
Recent events at St James’ Park have stunned the football world and the Black Cats manager was shocked but, given the state of the game, not entirely surprised.
The days of managers like Brian Clough, Bill Shankly and Matt Busby being given time to build a winning team appear to be a distant memory with many managers doing well to last 18 months.
While that particular trend appears to have struck at Newcastle United this week, Bruce is concerned that potential great coaches may be put off from stepping into management given the cut-throat nature that seems to have engulfed the game. He said: “Firstly I wish Chris all the best. I’ve said repeatedly that he’s a good guy – unfortunately there’s not many of those left anymore. A proper football person, if you like.
“Of course I also wish Alan Pardew the best of luck and I’d like to welcome him to the North East. I’m sure he’ll find it a very tough challenge but one he’ll enjoy.
“But decisions like the one that has happened to Chris must deter a young British coach. When you look at the stats – particularly in the lower divisions – the average lifespan for a manager is 16 months. Certainly if I was coming to the end of my playing career now, I would look long and hard over whether I wanted to go down the route of coaching – even though I love the game. I don’t think I could put my family through all of which seems to be chaos within football.
“A young up and coming coach or manager might just look at what’s happening throughout the game and say to himself, ‘what’s the point’? We’re in danger of not producing a young Mourinho or a Clough. When I finished playing, I had a wonderful offer from Sky TV and were I hanging up my boots now and the media work that was offered then was on the table, I would
probably take it. There are exceptions and they’ve done well. Everton have done well these past few years with Davie Moyes in charge and of course you’ve got Sir Alex (Ferguson) and (Arsene) Wenger at Manchester United and Arsenal who have been there for years and have been very successful.
“I just wish that clubs would do their homework and appoint the right manager for the right reasons rather than listen to a sports forum or any knee-jerk reactions.
“The reason why I came to Sunderland – and I knew it wasn’t going to be easy due to my roots – was because of the chairman and board that I’ve got as well as the stability they bring. For me this club should be a role model. As soon as you meet Niall (Quinn), you know things are going to be done properly.
“From the outside, what’s happened to Chris seems to be an unbelievable decision.”
