Black Cats’ Bruce interest short-lived

SUNDERLAND’S interest in appointing Steve Bruce as their new manager receded as Ellis Short’s buy-out was confirmed yesterday.

On the day it was officially announced that the Irish-American businessman is to take complete control of the club in which he bought a 30% stake last year, the Black Cats took a step back in their efforts to find a replacement for Ricky Sbragia.

Wearside woke to claims that a compensation package, amounting to anywhere between £3million and £5m, which would allow Bruce to leave current club, Wigan, had already been agreed.