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.

It is understood contact between the two clubs had been made, but that talks were not as advanced as had been suggested. As a result, the Wearsiders, while not necessarily ruling out Bruce, are exploring alternatives having once again been inundated with applications for a job which has become even more attractive as a result of Short’s decision to push through his plan to take over from the Drumaville consortium.

For his part, Bruce remained diplomatic when asked about the speculation. He said: “All the speculation, you can’t stop that.

“It’s flattering, but I am very, very pleased with what’s happened with us and pleased with what’s happening in the future, so we will see what develops.”

For Quinn, however, there was cause for celebration as he hailed Short’s takeover as a significant step on the road to taking the club to the next level following their ultimately successful, but nail-biting fight for Premier League survival.

“This is fantastic news for the club,” said Quinn, who will remain as chairman.

“Even before today, Ellis has personally invested more in Sunderland than all previous chairmen, directors and owners combined in the club’s history.”