Ex-Toon manager Steve Bruce has revealed that he recommended both Eddie Howe and Steven Gerrard to our Saudi-backed ownership just after the takeover was completed.
As soon as the consortium took over the club, Bruce admitted he knew he was the ‘only negative left’, and so his final act as boss would be to recommend the next manager.
Although 62-year-old refused to ‘give up’ on his dream job, he knew that the ownership had to make a ‘clean sweep’ and that it would be more ‘beneficial’ for the club.
At the time, we were led to believe that Gerrard, who was at Rangers, was one of our top targets, but he had turned us down in favour of staying in Scotland before becoming manager of Villa soon after.
In a way, it was a blessing in disguise as who knows where we would’ve ended up with the former Liverpool captain in charge.
Howe was always the better option and has been a huge success in the last 18 months or so, and long may it continue.
Watch the full clip below:
