22 February 2024 , 11:49
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Steve Bruce insists Dwight Yorke "just needs an opportunity" having put his hat in the ring to be the next Sunderland boss.
The Black Cats are looking for their third permanent manager of the season after sacking Michael Beale in midweek. The ex-Rangers boss only took charge for 12 games after succeeding Tony Mowbray, who led the club to the play-offs last season and was a popular figure.
Sunderland still harbour hopes of making the top six and have appointed Mike Dodds until the end of the season. Yorke played under Sir Alex Ferguson in a trophy-laden era and also enjoyed a stint at Sunderland later in his career. The striker is keen to get a crack with Bruce hoping he gets a call.
He told OLBG : "I wish Dwight all of the best, but you have got to be a good fit wherever you go. Birmingham have obviously just made a big change, Wayne didn't happen for them and they've made a change with Tony Mowbray, so he just needs an opportunity to see what he can do.
"I wish him all the best of luck and it is really difficult to get back in, so I wish Yorkie all the best. I hope he gets a chance to show what he can do. He needs a chance, but sadly chances don't come around very often. There aren't many jobs out there at the moment."
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Yorke has had minimal exposure to management despite putting his hand up for jobs in the past, Aston Villa among them. Clubs have been willing to take punts on amateur coaches, many of whom have had an impressive playing pasts and Yorke will be hoping they do likewise at the Stadium of Light.
Bruce was once in charge in the north east, taking charge of 98 games before he was axed in November 2011. His last job was at West Brom and he appeared to distance himself from the role as he called on his former club to find some continuity.
Steve Bruce has previously been Sunderland boss (Getty Images)"That’s a very difficult question [to answer about whether I’d want the job], I think the board needs to make up their minds on what they want," he said. "Sacking Tony Mowbray seemed a strange call as he was very popular and doing very well on the pitch.
“Sunderland, in my opinion, have had far too much change. To sack a manager after 12 games is testament to that, the board must make up their minds on what they want and support the new manager and more importantly give him time."
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