Bruce backing for Pearce

STEVE BRUCE hopes Stuart Pearce will take permanent charge of Manchester City as he expressed fears homegrown managerial talent is not being given its chance in the Barclays Premiership.

Birmingham boss Bruce believes the growing trend of clubs looking abroad for coaches is denying English managers who have learnt their trade in the lower divisions the opportunity to make a mark in the top flight.

New Portsmouth boss Alain Perrin is the latest foreign manager to have been appointed and Bruce is concerned that people prepared to work their way through the ranks and collect their qualifications will be squeezed out.