Former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce says Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan encouraged him to take over at Sunderland. Bruce, who was Wigan Athletic manager, had been approached by the Black Cats to succeed Ricky Sbragia who had resigned on the last match of the 2008/09 campaign.
The former Latics boss had done a stellar job at keeping Wigan in the Premier League guiding them to an 11th placed finish in the same season, despite losing key player Wilson Palacios to Tottenham Hotspur.
He was confirmed as Sunderland boss a week later, signing a three-year deal at the Stadium of Light. Bruce would guide the Black Cats to a 13th-place finish in the Premier League the following season.
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Speaking on the Die For Three Points Podcast, Bruce said: "Dave Whelan encouraged me, would you believe it, encouraged me to take Sunderland. He said 'I can't give you what you want. You've been great here, go and take Sunderland and see what you can do with them.'
"Quite an extraordinary man who loved his club. It was a unique situation and I think whoever it was who worked for him would have said the same."
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