Sunderland have confirmed via their official website that Steve Bruce has signed a three year deal to become manager at the Stadium of Light. A mutually satisfactory deal for compensation has, according to Sky Sports News, been concluded between his former club Wigan Athletic and the Black Cats for compensation.
Bruce, originally from Corbridge in the Tyne Valley, grew up as a Newcastle United fan, which might have prejudiced his appointment in the eyes of many Mackems. However, Bob Stokoe, the man who won the FA Cup as manager for the club in 1973 was also a Geordie, and if Bruce can bring similar success then he will be hailed as a hero, whatever his roots.
It is unclear as to how much compensation has been agreed between the clubs, but the length of time the deal took to complete suggests negotiation between Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn and his Latics counterpart Dave Whelan, both recognised in English football as shrewd operators, was intense.
Quinn, the former Arsenal striker, was clearly very pleased to have snared his man, telling the club's website, "Steve will bring a professionalism and strength of character to this club that will really help to bring us forward to where we all want to be.
"He knows more than anyone what football means to people of this region and I'm confident that he will be able to instill into our players exactly what it means to play for this football club."
As reported yesterday earlier by Goal.com, Bruce will be taking Eric Black and Nigel Spink with him from Wigan as assistant manager and goalkeeping coach respectively. They will be joined by former Sunderland striker Bertschin, who will be reserve team coach - the role he fulfilled with Athletic from January 2008.
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