The club believed that Bruce's reputation had been
damaged beyond repair in the eyes of Sunderland supporters.
O'Neill appears to be the people's choice but there is also
serious consideration being given to Hughes, who has done well at
previous clubs on a limited budget.
Other names have been discussed, including Everton manager David
Moyes and former England manager Steve McClaren, but O'Neill and
Hughes would almost certainly have to turn the job down first.
Assistant manager Eric Black will look after first-team affairs
until a new manager is appointed and is expected to be in the
dugout at Wolves on Sunday.
Bruce was sacked after chairman and owner Ellis Short decided he
had to protect the business by removing the manager immediately,
rather than give him another two games to show he could resurrect
their season. Although a prominent section of the club's support
turned against Bruce weeks ago, it became mass opposition after the
2-1 home defeat to Wigan Athletic last weekend.
After four days of reflection, Short decided Bruce had to go
late on Tuesday night as the American feared the effect of falling
attendances. Sunderland have won just twice this season, in sharp
contrast to bitter local rivals Newcastle United, who are flying
high in fourth. Despite finishing in the top 10 for only the third
time in more than 50 years last season, Bruce's side have won only
three games at the Stadium of Light this year.
O'Neill has previously pushed all the right buttons on Wearside,
reminiscing about his childhood in Northern Ireland listening to
Sunderland games on the radio as a supporter. That is in stark
contrast to Bruce, a Geordie who made no secret of his affection
for Newcastle when he was growing up. O'Neill also has an
outstanding CV and is desperate to get back into management after
quitting Aston Villa in August last year.
One thing that may work against O'Neill is the amount of money
he will want to rebuild the side. Short has had to cover losses of
more than £25 million in each of the last two years and had not
planned to spend much, if anything, in January.
Hughes, on the other hand, has done well with limited resources
at both Blackburn and Fulham and is happy to work with the players
he would inherit. He regards Sunderland as a bigger club than
Fulham and believes success would give him greater funds in the
long run.
Short said: "This has been a difficult time for everyone at
Sunderland and is not a situation that any of us envisaged or
expected to be in.
"It is my job as chairman to act in the best interests of our
football club at all times and I can assure everyone that this is
not a decision that I have taken lightly. Sadly, results this
season have simply not been good enough and I feel the time is
right to make a change.
"Steve has acted with honesty and integrity throughout, which is
testament to the character and commitment he has shown during his
time at Sunderland.
"I would like to personally place on record my thanks to him for
his significant contribution to our football club over the past two
and a half years and everyone here at Sunderland naturally wishes
him the very best for the future.
"I would also like to thank our fans, who have endured a trying
start to the season. Their support continues to be the driving
force behind our club and is vital as we now look to the
future."
Bruce, who only signed a new 3½-year contract in February, is
believed to have been shocked by the decision as he felt he was
going to be given another two games at least. His mood at the
training ground was far more buoyant than it had been at the start
of the week and the players were surprised to learn that a manager
who retained the full support of the dressing room had been
sacked.
The former Manchester United captain, who is expected to fly to
Portugal for a short holiday, can at least console himself with a
multi-million pound pay-off.
