TF90M wonders if Steve Bruce's recent successes at Wigan, has raised his credentials as a possible successor to Sir Alex at Old Trafford.
Mark Hughes. Roy Keane. Paul Ince. Eric Cantona.
All of the aforementioned were managed by Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, enjoyed illustrious playing careers and have since been cited as possible future managers of Manchester United. Though surely it is Steve Bruce who holds pole position in the race to succeed Fergie.
The current Wigan manager has scored victories over Tottenham, Newcastle and Everton this season as the Latics find themselves in seventh place, albeit still only 11 points off the bottom, stating the tightness of the Premier League this year. Though to be pushing for a European place is testament to Bruce, who himself has played a part in the game for over 40 years.
A boyhood Newcastle fan, Bruce started his playing career at Gillingham where he impressed and attracted the attention of many more high-profile clubs. It was for Norwich City that Bruce eventually decided on signing for, after making over 200 appearances for Gillingham.
Despite beginning the 1984-85 season by scoring an own goal in the first minute of his debut for Norwich against Liverpool, Bruce went on to score the team's winning goal in the semi-final of the Football League Cup against local rivals Ipswich Town. Earning the role of captain, Bruce helped Norwich achieve their highest league position when the team finished 5th. Bruce won a move to Manchester United in 1987, though is still fondly remembered by Norwich fans who voted him into their own Hall Of Fame.
Striking up a great centre back partnership with Gary Pallister, and under the tutelage of Ferguson, Bruce enjoyed a number of successes at the club winning various trophies. After leading the United side for many years, Bruce felt it was time to end his United playing career and instead opted to join Birmingham City.
Afterwards a player-manager vacancy opened up at Sheffield United and the brave, determined centre back entered the world of football management for the first time. Despite reportedly contemplating leaving management for a job in television, Bruce continued his managerial career with short spells at Huddersfield, Wigan and Crystal Palace.
Having acquired a reputation as a manager who rarely held down a job for a significant length of time, it would prove to be different at Birmingham for Bruce. Returning to the club, whom he had played for, Bruce catapulted Birmingham into the Premiership and steered the Midlands-based side to 13th place, finishing above local rivals Aston Villa for the first time since the 1970s. Following further mid-table finishes and amidst high-expectations Birmingham were condemned to relegation in 2006. After a stuttering start in the Championship, Bruce assisted Birmingham City in regaining their Premiership status soon after.
Though in November 2007, Wigan Athletic came calling and Bruce, after nearly six years at St Andrews, moved jobs. Surviving relegation, Bruce now in his first full season in his second spell at the JJB, has gradually began to build his own team. Despite losing Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios to Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, the squad includes such stars as Amr Zaki and Antonio Valencia.
With Bruce considered to be a talented manager, how long will it be before one of England's largest clubs come calling. Rumours suggest Newcastle have been interested in acquiring his services on many occasions, though will it be the eventual departure of Ferguson that gifts the former United player a chance at the top.
With the continued row regarding a lack of successful English managers, surely Bruce's experience puts him above Keane, Hughes and Cantona as favourite for the Old Trafford position. Though who ever does take over from Ferguson will undoubtedly have their work cut out. Ten Premier League titles does take some beating!
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