New deal for boss BruceSunderland manager Steve Bruce has signed a new contract at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has been rewarded with a new contract which will see his tenure at the Stadium of Light continue until summer 2014.
The 50-year-old, who first arrived on Wearside in June 2009, has steered his side to seventh in the Barclays Premier League table this season as the club aims for a top half finish for the first time in ten years.
Since arriving back in the North East, Northumberland-born Bruce has overseen the purchase of 13 new players on permanent contracts, with 15 moving on to new clubs. Shrewd loan signings have also bolstered the Black Cats, who lost just twice at home in the top flight in the whole of 2010 under his stewardship.
Speaking of his new contract, Bruce said: "I'm delighted to have signed a new contract. It's a magnificent club from top to bottom, with wonderful support and everything is in place here for a manager. We have the makings of a fantastic young team.
"It's been a great challenge so far and one that my backroom team and I have relished so we're looking forward to continuing with that over the next few years."
Chairman Niall Quinn added: "It was hugely important to bring stability to this football club and I firmly believe that in Steve we have the man to do just that. In only 18 months he has re-shaped our squad beyond recognition, bringing in some fantastically talented players, many of whom are young and desperate to achieve and improve.
"He embodies the ethos of teamwork and the importance of camaraderie in creating a wonderful spirit of togetherness amongst the players and staff.
"As someone born and bred in the North East he fully understands the unique passion for football in this region. He has already raised the aspirations of not only the players but also the supporters and instilled a belief in everyone that we can go on to achieve the sustained success that we all crave."
A former Manchester United captain under Sir Alex Ferguson, Bruce won three Premier League titles and three FA Cup winners' medals as a player before going on to manage Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town, Wigan Athletic, Crystal Palace and Birmingham City, arriving at the Black Cats following a second spell with Wigan between 2007 and 2009.
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