Steve
Bruce has signed a new contract that could keep the manager at the Stadium of
Light until 2014.
Bruce,
who turned 50 in December, led Sunderland to a thirteenth place finish in his
first season in charge and, with the club currently sitting in 7th position,
the former-Birmingham City manager has put pen to paper on a contract extension
that will reassure Sunderland fans of his commitment to the cause.
"I'm
delighted to have signed a new contract," said Bruce. "It's a
magnificent club from top to bottom."
Sunderland
chairman Niall Quinn was also pleased with the contract extension, saying:
"It was hugely important to bring stability to this football club and I firmly
believe that in Steve we have the man to do just that. He embodies the ethos of
team-work and the importance of camaraderie in creating a wonderful spirit of
togetherness amongst the players and staff.
"As
someone born and bred in the north east he fully understands the unique passion
for football in this region”, Quinn continued.
Bruce
has been in charge for seventy-three Sunderland games and has overseen just
twenty-seven losses, an impressive feat for a club who were in the second tier
of English football just four years ago.
Sunderland
face Everton this weekend in what is sure to be an interesting encounter, with
David Moyes’ side looking to move up the table and build on their FA Cup
victory over Chelsea last weekend.
Sunderland
assistant manager Ricky Sbragia also commented on Bruce’s new contract, saying:
"We have the makings of a fantastic young team. It's been a great
challenge so far and one that my backroom team and I have relished. So we're
looking forward to continuing with that over the next few years."
The
Black Cats are just eight points away from fifth-placed Chelsea and with
players such as Jordan Henderson, Asamoah Gyan, Lee Cattermole and, now, Steve
Bruce at the helm, the future certainly looks bright for Sunderland.
This article
originally appeared on sports website Sports Haze but is now unavailable due to
the site closing down.
Picture from vagueonshow