Championship strugglers Reading have reportedly identified potential Paul Clement replacements with Bruce and Bolton Wanderers’ Phil Parkinson both options.
Did Aston Villa make the right decision in sacking Steve Bruce?
On one hand, Bruce underachieved with one of the most talented, experienced and expensively assembled teams in recent Championship history, with the club’s style of play often leaving a lot to be desired.
On the other, he remains a proven second tier manager who has won promotion four times and led Villa to the play-off final as recently as May.
Either way, Villa have made their bed and must lay in it, giving Bruce the axe in September after a run of one win in ten games. But the former Sunderland, Wigan and Birmingham boss might not be away from football for long.
The Sun (30 October, page 59) reports that Reading have made an enquiry about Bruce’s availability. The Royals are currently 22nd in the Championship, with the pressure rising on Paul Clement after the 2-0 defeat to Swansea City on Saturday.
It is understood that Bolton Wanderers boss Phil Parkinson is also an option for Reading, although getting him out of his contract could prove difficult.
The Sun claims that Bruce wanted a rest after his time at Villa went sour, but could the challenge of leading Reading away from danger appeal?
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