Source: Eurosport
Bruce gets Pallister backing
Steve Bruce's former Manchester United team-mate Gary Pallister believes the 48-year-old has what it takes to succeed at Sunderland. [LNB] Negotiations, which did not begin until late on Monday, between the Black Cats and the Wigan manager are almost complete and it is only a matter of time before Bruce is installed at the Stadium of Light. [LNB] "I know Steve is desperate to prove himself at the highest level. The Sunderland job could be just the vehicle to help him achieve what he wants," said Pallister. [LNB] "Anyone who has played at the highest level and been as successful as Steve is bound to be ambitious," he added.[LNB] Pallister, who played alongside Bruce in the centre of United's defence from the late 1980s to mid-1990s, knows enough about his former team-mate to be convinced he will do well back in his native north east. [LNB] He admits Sunderland, who should have plenty to spend over the summer after American businessman Ellis Short assumed full control of the club last week, is a different prospect for Bruce after years of working with tight budgets. [LNB] But he said Bruce was ready to take the step up and turn the Black Cats into a top-10 side - which Short said was his first target after taking over. [LNB] "He has a good reputation as a manager, he works hard, but wherever he has managed he has had to operate on limited funds," Pallister told the Manchester Evening News. [LNB] "Sunderland can provide a fair-sized war chest, they have a great fan base and a progressive owner and chairman (Niall Quinn). [LNB] "Steve has had his ups and downs in management at Crystal Palace and Birmingham but he just wants to manage at the highest level and challenge the best."
