please log in to view this image AHEAD of his first return to Yorkshire since quitting as Hull City manager, Steve Bruce revealed the breakdown in his relationship with vice chairman Ehab Allam meant he should have left the KCOM Stadium earlier. The 54-year-old brings his rejuvenated Aston Villa side to Leeds United tomorrow tea-time for a Championship game that is expected to attract a bumper crowd of more than 32,000. Villa have taken 15 points from seven games under Bruce, who called time on his four-year reign at Hull in early July following a series of disagreements with the club’s hierarchy. The departure of the manager who had taken the Tigers to two promotions, an FA Cup final and the Europa League left supporters stunned, but the new Villa chief insists it was the best thing for all parties. “I needed the break after all the shenanigans at Hull,” said Bruce when speaking exclusively to The Yorkshire Post. “With hindsight, I had probably needed that break for a while. “Me leaving was the best thing for me and the best thing for the club. Things had just got too difficult. “With Ehab involved, there was a big difference of opinion too many times. That is not a healthy situation for the club. “We were at each other too often and that is no good for anyone. It becomes wearing and, with hindsight, a parting of the ways had become inevitable for quite some time. “Ehab wanted to go in a different direction to how the club had been run before. At the end of the day, I didn’t agree with him and that caused disagreements. “But, it is his club and his father’s club so I had to respect that. I had to respect how they wanted to do things.” Bruce’s exit came midway through a summer in which uncertainty over potential takeovers dogged Hull at every turn. However, it was the disagreements with the board – and, specifically, the lack of transfer activity following promotion – that led to the former Manchester United captain’s self-enforced departure. “We just didn’t see eye to eye,” added Bruce. “It was an accumulation of things that meant we just couldn’t go on. It was doing neither of us any good. More importantly, it was not doing the club any good, either. “There was also a lot of uncertainty. An American group was buying the club, then a Chinese consortium and, later, it was all off. Working amid that uncertainty was tough. ” Mike Phelan stepped in as caretaker manager following Bruce’s departure. His appointment was made permanent seven games into the season, but Hull are in the relegation zone. “Of course, I want Mick to do well,” added Bruce. “He is a friend and we worked together closely. Same with the players. It was a big decision to walk away from them. “It also isn’t easy to resign as a Premier League manager. There are only 20 of them in the country so it wasn’t a decision I made lightly. “But, equally, leaving was also something I had to do. “I needed a break, probably more than I realised until I actually started that break. “I should have done it sooner. ” Hull’s loss has very much been Villa’s gain with Bruce breathing fresh life into a club who were struggling under Roberto Di Matteo. When the Italian was sacked after just 124 days, the Midlands club turned to someone who had spent six years working across the city at St Andrews. Bruce said: “Villa is a job I have waited 20 years to get, if I am honest. I maybe thought a job of this size might not come my way, it is certainly the biggest club I have managed. “I am really enjoying it. It is a huge challenge, but a great opportunity. “Villa is a wonderful club and it is a privilege to be manager. “Things have started well and, hopefully, we can build on these results. When I came in seven games ago, we were near the bottom three so there is a long way to go. ” Leeds, with eight wins in their past 12 league outings, will be a tough test for Villa’s resurgent form, but Bruce is looking forward to his first return to Yorkshire since leaving Hull. “Villa is a huge club,” he said. “We take on another huge club this weekend in Leeds, another club who should really be in the Premier League. “Just look at the crowd on Saturday, incredible for a Championship game that is kicking off at tea-time and is being shown live on Sky. “It shows what big clubs these two are. “I am certain I will get my usual warm welcome from the home fans, but I am looking forward to the game. “Leeds are doing well, but it is such a long time since the club was in the Premier League and that shows the size of the challenge it is to get back up. “If a club that size can be out for 12 years or more then it can happen to anyone. That is what we have to remember at Villa. Only hard work can take us back up.” http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/spor...teve-bruce-on-why-he-left-hull-city-1-8270321
I admire the honesty, which isn't a huge surprise from him. It's nice to see a manager come out like that and state for the record what happened rather than just disappearing quietly. Makes you wonder why Phelan was happy to take the job.
What does he mean Ehab wanted to take the club in a different direction? Ie run the club into the ground!
Honesty? Really? He doesn't really say anything does he? Honesty would be telling what really went on, what the differences were, etc etc. He wasn't exactly honest was he during his reign, masking over the differences. I long for a bit of real honesty from those involved in running my club (then and now).
I don't wonder. He was documented as being desperate for a manager's job. Whatever happens, he's now been a PL manager and that's on his CV. It'll make it a lot easier to get other PL jobs.
He does say a lot. The man who got this club promoted twice to the premier league, once automatically and the other through the Play Off's and to our first ever FA Cup Final was crucified on the forums by some supporters. He made some mistakes, of course he did, but not as many as all the other managers, besides Phil Brown ( who was also ridiculed) all of whom failed to get this club any where near the top division. He was also given scant respect by Allam junior who obviously has no idea of the magnitude of getting Hull City promoted, not once but twice, to the Premier League. Bruce is also correct about the size of Villa and Leeds, and although he didn't actually say it, but compared to Hull City. The championship is full of much bigger clubs then us and all would give their right arms to swop places with us. Those who ridiculed Steve Bruce and to a lesser extent Phil Brown may have to live a long time to see again what they achieved with Hull City repeated. You know who you are.
Did Steve Bruce say the following or is it just the reporters interpretation/views? "However, it was the disagreements with the board – and, specifically, the lack of transfer activity following promotion – that led to the former Manchester United captain’s self-enforced departure" Otherwise doesn't really tell us anything more than what most managers and owners argue about. I'm not defending the Allams in how they've gone about things, but think Bruce has been very diplomatic in that he doesn't want to frighten off future employers.
He wasn't ridiculed and everyone was grateful for what he achieved at City, many people were just bored of us setting up for a draw every time we played someone half decent and disappointed that we were terrible against some ****e teams last season.
You've read a different article to me then!!! He says in various repetitions, 'we didn't see eye to eye' / 'we had disagreements'. 'There was uncertainty ... sale on then off'. 'I needed a break'. Sorry, but I don't call that honesty. I call that telling us the bare minimum that we already know anyway.
He was ridiculed, especially on this forum and Driff Tiger on CI. His time at Hull City was the most successful period of the club history by a country mile yet 'many people were bored of us setting up for a draw' ??? 'and we were terrible against some ****e teams'.... Hull City were terrible against most teams for over 100 years. We never got anywhere near what Bruce and Brown achieved. Yet you got bored with a few draws FFS, what do you want ?
And you've swerved the fact Steve Bruce despite being the most successful manager in the clubs history you wanted him sacked.
Yeah it was loads better in the old days when the only time we played European opposition was when the club invited a club over for a friendly game.
