BRUCIE BONUS!
Villa eye Steve after Rob axe
STEVE BRUCE is favourite to land the job of guiding Aston Villa back to the Premier League.
The floundering Midlands giants are ready to turn to Bruce after sacking Roberto Di Matteo yesterday.
The Italian’s spell came to an abrupt end after less than four months in charge – making his the shortest reign in the club’s history.
Chinese owner Dr Tony Xia finally ran out of patience with the man he appointed in the summer with Villa struggling in 19th on the back of just one league win in 11, despite splashing out £50m after relegation.
Now he is ready to turn to former Hull boss Bruce, who knows exactly what it takes to get out of the Championship.
Concerned
The 55-year-old still lives in the area and would jump at the chance to get his hands on a big club.
A stumbling block with some is the fact he is a former manager of hated rivals Birmingham.
But that was nine years ago and he has been at Wigan, Sunderland and Hull since, so his connection bears no similarity to when Alex McLeish moved across the city in 2011, having just got Birmingham relegated.
Di Matteo was living on borrowed time and his fate was sealed after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Preston. His seemingly aloof and carefree methods concerned Xia, while some players began to question exactly what he was doing at the club.
No.2 Steve Clarke is caretaker while Villa find a new boss.
A Villa statement read: “The club decided to act following a run of disappointing results.
‘‘The club would like ® to place on record its appreciation to Roberto for all his efforts in helping rebuild the squad and wish him well for the future.”
Last night Xia tweeted: “A difficult decision 4the board. But rather sooner than later we’d make the decision. All need learn repeat mistakes again & again.”
Former boss Tim Sherwood, who was sacked by Villa’s previous owner Randy Lerner, has also thrown his hat in the ring for an unlikely return with Villa – who are now looking for their fifth permanent boss in just over two years.