Source: Eurosport
Bruce interest proves short-lived
Sunderland's interest in appointing Steve Bruce as their new manager has receded as Ellis Short's buy-out was confirmed.
On the day it was officially announced 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 a compensation package, amounting to anywhere between £3million and £5million which would allow Bruce to leave current club Wigan, had already been agreed.
Sunderland were not commenting publicly on the suggestions but privately insisted they were nowhere near that stage and their stance hardened as sources in the north-west prematurely claimed the Black Cats had been given permission to talk to the former Manchester United defender.
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 at the Stadium of Light.
