Bruce happy to wait
STEVE BRUCE is not finished with football – but is in no hurry to take on his next challenge.
The Geordie (below) sacked by Aston Villa five weeks ago wants to return to management after taking a short time out.
Bruce, 57, lost his job at Villa Park after fans’ unrest left chief executive Christian Purslow with little option but to cut short his employment.
Since then, he has taken a three-week holiday in Barbados but has now returned to this country.
According to friends, Bruce received two job offers within 24 hours of his exit from Villa Park and he still has one significant proposition from overseas under consideration.
A source said: “Steve has made a career out of bouncing back. He did so successfully with Hull after leaving Sunderland.
“Two promotions, an appearance in the FA Cup Final and European qualification suggests he does know what he is doing.
“He insists that, given time, the tide would have turned at Villa.
“But it wasn’t to be and he’s now looking for a new challenge – but when that will be he is not yet sure.” THANK THE CLAUD: Ranieri is excited to be back in management calm, reflect on everything. Here in London I go to the theatres, spend time with my wife, with my family.
“Two weeks ago I went to Lego Windsor with my little grandchild. But something was missing.”
Ranieri had just finished his first press call as new Fulham boss, replacing Slavisa Jokanvovic, the first player he signed when Chelsea manager.
And he was more mellow than his famous serious/silly usual fare.
His reputation is that he has always made an instant impact at clubs, rather than staying the long term.
Fulham badly need the kind of miracles he achieved at Leicester and certainly instant impact as they sit at the bottom of the Premier League, despite £100million spent on summer signings.
Ranieri, who happens to live in walking distance from Craven Cottage, is under no illusons but is excited by the task.
He added: “Just two days I’m here but all the people at the club are helping me to make me at home.
“Now it’s important to give them my best and be safe at the end of the season. This is my goal now.
“I don’t look behind me. I will give them everything. I hope they can take their ambition, because I am an ambitious man.”
He has funds to buy in January but