Source: SKY_Sports
Bruce - I nearly quit
Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce has told skysports.com he was close to quitting football after his spell as Sheffield United manager.
Bruce has revealed he was ready to turn his back on the game in 1999 after a torrid stint at Bramall Lane.
The 48-year-old, who has guided the Latics to the cusp of a European place in another impressive Premier League campaign, endured a season of on and off-pitch turmoil with the Blades, including "the Cup tie that never was" at Highbury against Arsenal.
And Bruce, who earned a reputation as a disloyal manager after managing five clubs in four years, admitted he was raw at the beginning of his management career.
"I was headstrong when I was younger and maybe I've had too many jobs in my time," the Wigan boss told skysports.com.
"My loyalty was questioned for a long time when I was younger, and that's understandable. I found it very difficult to conform and I wanted to do it all my way.
"When things weren't as they say in the brochure, then I wasn't really a very nice chap to be around, unfortunately. After the first year, I thought to myself, 'this isn't for me'.
"It's been a rollercoaster, but I think I've found that something I had at Birmingham. Now I have to establish myself here and put some stability into my career as you can't keep jumping from club to club."
Bruce, who is in his second spell at Wigan, claims he always wanted to come back to the club and finish the job.
"I really enjoyed the first time I was here - which was a temporary agreement - and it's great to be back, seeing a real project come together in the way that it is," he added. "We want to be organised and want to do the best we can.
"Everything for me is geared around what happens on that training pitch between 10.30am and 12.30am.
"That's where we do our stuff. I've got a very, very good right-hand man in Eric Black, my assistant manager. He's particularly well-organised and meticulous, and takes huge pride in his training sessions, which I think benefits everybody.
"He's a fantastic coach; as good as there is. And I'm very fortunate to have him.
"As for the remainder of the campaign, we have a job to do. Losing players in the January transfer window was just one of those things, but the new faces at the club have adapted quickly, and if we can finish the season with a bang, you never know what might happen."
