Steve Bruce is on Southampton’s six-man shortlist to take over as their manager after indicating he is willing to sever his ties with Hull City to fill the void left by Mauricio Pochettino taking the Tottenham Hotspur job. Southampton, who have also spoken to Ronald Koeman, want to make an appointment by the end of week and Bruce has emerged as the English option because of Hull’s considerable improvement under his management. After winning promotion from the Championship, Hull defied their odds as the overwhelming favourites to be relegated last season, as well as reaching the FA Cup final. Bruce regards Southampton as an upgrade, even at a time when the club is being threatened by an exodus of their best players. However, it is understood he is not the front-runner for the job, with Koeman meeting Southampton officials during the week. Koeman left Feyenoord last month and the 51-year-old appeals to Southampton because of his philosophy of bringing through young players and adopting an attacking playing style. Koeman has won Dutch titles with Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, as well as the Copa del Rey at Valencia, and has also had spells at Benfica and AZ. Koeman wants to work in the Premier League but would also want reassurances over their transfer plans at a time when the team that finished eighth last season is in danger of being dismantled. Rickie Lambert has joined Liverpool and could soon be followed by Adam Lallana, the subject of a £15m offer, with £10m in potential add-ons. Manchester United are still confident of signing Luke Shaw for around £30m and Dejan Lovren is also interesting interest from Liverpool. Roy Hodgson was asked about Southampton’s situation during a question-and-answer session with England supporters during the team’s training camp in Miami. “If Liverpool are signing all these Southampton players, I have to presume they are signing them to play, not stockpile,” he said. “I’m afraid Southampton have become a victim of their success. I feel sorry for teams when this happens, when the team gets broken up, but it is a fact of life that bigger clubs have more financial power. Life isn’t fair. The good news is Southampton will be very rich. The bad news is that you might have more [Dani] Osvaldos.” Edit: from The Guardian
I just dont see him leaving while we are on the up swing unless the Allams are short changing him with transfer funds right now. If he is given the funds to bring in a couple more nice signings then I dont see him leaving.
Could just be saints talking him up to force another candidates hand? Can't see him as a south coast man myself?
Erm Steve Bruce in wage talks and gets linked with a move to another club. Its' not rocket science is it.
What a bag of ****e this story is. Why would he go anywhere else when he's got the freedom, football wise, to do what he wants with us?
Bruce is a fantastic manager for us but I think it would be a backward step for Southampton in appointing him. They need someone that will help them retain their best players. Don't get me wrong, Bruce is definitely my preferred option as City manager, I just think a club a Soton's side can do better. Hence, not worried in the slightest.
With the people they have leaving chances are they will perform worse this season than the did this last one. I think what rovertiger is saying why leave us and go there when chances are people would be calling for his head in a season for under performing when he seems to have all the freedom here to do what he wants.
Like someone said on the other Bruce thread, City got him back in football and he's said plenty of times how grateful he is for that. I can't see him going anywhere just yet.
Bruce wouldn't last till Christmas at a club like Southampton. Likewise Newcastle and that is the reason Sunderland ran him out of town. SB is seen as a bit of a Northern dinosaur, great whilst you are winning but the minute the results don't go your way the delusions of grandeur set in and the pressure mounts, just ask West Ham fans what they think about Big Stan. The man who kept them in the Premier League. All these clubs think they should be winning the Premier League by right. Steve Bruce doesn't need the pressure. He cannot go wrong here. if we get relegated, besides the diehards, who would really be upset?
Even though they're losing a few players, that production line down there is enviable - Shaw won't be the last top-class kid to emerge. And whoever gets the job will have a bundle of cash to spend. Looks like Koeman is going to get it, tbh. I do hope Brucey hasn't lobbied for the job, because relations with the old Genius Businessman could get very strained if he has.
