Steve Bruce the hypocrite

Darren Bent has switched clubs, Darren has moved to Aston Villa to spearhead the Houllier revolution in a deal worth upto £24m depending on clauses met. Steve Bruce was not happy in losing his star striker.

Mr Bruce was quick to make his opinion heard.

"It's hugely disappointing that Darren has decided that his future lies away from Sunderland and the players, our supporters and the club as a whole have every right to feel massively let down.

"The timing is especially hard to take, given that we are progressing positively and are in a great position to push on.

"Everyone has been nothing but supportive of Darren in his time at Sunderland but it's obvious he's not been himself in training and we've certainly not seen the best of him in games in recent weeks - and we now understand why.

"I've always stated that my aim is to build a talented, young squad for the long-term to help the club achieve sustained success and I want Sunderland fans to know that our ambitions haven't changed on that front."

Now what makes Bruce a hypocrite is whinging about moving mid contract. Sunderland is only the second (Biringham being the first) club he hasn't had his name in chalk on the door to his office. With Steve himself breaking contracts at Crystal Palace, Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic, not forgetting his short stints in charge at Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town and Wigan in 1998.

During his time at Birmingham, he was rumoured on many occasions to be in the running for the Newcastle United job. Who would turn down the chance of managing your hometown club? Not me, or him. So Gold and Sullivan priced him out of a move. 

Loyalty? Bruce doesn't know the meaning of the word.