Steve Bruce reflects on sack race luck
Jan 1 2011 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
THE Premier League's latest sacking may have left Steve Bruce "bewildered" but at least it served as another reminder of how lucky Sunderland's manager is.
Bruce is good friends with Sam Allardyce, surprisingly sacked by Blackburn Rovers in mid-December.
It was a reminder of how impatient modern Premier League owners have become – and a complete contrast with chairman Niall Quinn’s calm approach at the Stadium of Light.
The Lancashire club sat comfortably in mid-table and had won four out of seven matches when their Indian owners opted instead to dismiss Sam and hand Steve Kean his first job in management.
“It baffles me what has happened with Sam,” Bruce admitted. “How you can go from an experienced manager – tried and tested and successful – and give it, no disrespect, to a rookie baffles me.
“However, they got a result the other day (beating West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday) and have good players. They were tenth in the Premier League last year, what has gone on is unbelievable. Then again I have been in it long enough to know how crazy it is.”
Bruce’s rein has had its low points – a 14-match run without a win and a 5-1 defeat at Newcastle United on Hallowe’en – but Quinn and Texan owner Ellis Short have always come across as sensible custodians of their club. We can be very thankful,” said Bruce. “Of course our owner wants to win. But for what he has done in the last two or three years and the way he conducts himself maybe he is a lesson to most.
“You don’t get to where he has in life without being competitive but the one thing is he lets me manage for a start and he has entrusted in Niall the welfare of the club.
“If you look at where Sunderland were and where they are now, that says everything.
“He came up to our hotel at Fulham. He is interested in the team. He asks about the lads but he has never interfered. All he has ever done is back me. That is important. I am very fortunate.”
