• Sunderland's new owner Ellis Short against
compensation
• Paul Jewell in wings should disenchanted Bruce leave Wigan
Steve Bruce is on Sunderland's list of prospective
new managers but they may be reluctant to pay
compensation.
Steve Bruce's hopes of being installed as
Sunderland's new
manager appeared to recede tonight when the club balked at
Wigan
Athletic's £5m price tag.
Although Dave Whelan, the Wigan owner, made it clear that he
would be happy for his manager to talk to Sunderland, the Wearside
club declined to make a formal approach for Bruce on learning of
Whelan's compensation demands.
Ellis Short, Sunderland's new owner, who assumed total control
of the club today, is seemingly not impressed by the idea of
reimbursing Wigan for their loss. Whelan, though, was forced to pay
Birmingham £3m for Bruce when he prised the boyhood Newcastle
supporter from the West Midlands.
Although it is possible this impasse will conclude with a
compromise and Bruce's subsequent unveiling as Ricky Sbragia's
successor at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland made it clear that,
although the Wigan manager is near the top of their shortlist, he
is not the only candidate under serious consideration.
Bruce – who has become disillusioned at Wigan after being forced
to sell his best players – is said to have one particularly strong
unnamed, possibly continental, rival for the post.
Paul Jewell, who managed Wigan from 2001-07, would be among the
candidates to take over at the JJB Stadium if Bruce leaves. He
turned down the chance to go back there after his successor, Chris
Hutchings, was sacked but may be more receptive on this occasion.
He has been out of work since December, when he left Derby County.
The Swansea City manager, Roberto Martínez, a former Wigan player,
is also a possible target.
Meanwhile Niall Quinn, Sunderland's chairman, insists he will
"take whatever time is necessary" to finalise the appointment. "It
is imperative we find somebody who will raise the bar and introduce
a whole new mentality to our dressing room," said Quinn.
The new manager will be given a significant transfer budget by
Short. Quinn hailed the Irish-American financier's buy-out of the
club's former owners, Drumaville. "This is fantastic news for the
club and opens the door to a new era at the Stadium of Light," he
said.
Short, though, had been Sunderland's majority shareholder for
some months and Quinn added: "Even before today he has personally
invested more in Sunderland than all previous chairmen, directors
and owners combined in the club's history. Late last summer he
injected tens of millions to fund new signings and the resultant
increased wage bill.
"As long as we invest the funds wisely, he will continue to
provide what has been the missing ingredient in Sunderland's
make-up, namely the financial muscle necessary to compete at the
highest level. Ellis's involvement to date enabled us to turn down
a bid of up to £20m from Tottenham for Kenwyne Jones in
January."
