Sunderland will give Steve Bruce time says Niall Quinn

Sunderland owner Ellis Short will not sack manager Steve Bruce unless the situation at the club becomes "apocalyptic", according to former chairman Niall Quinn.

The former Republic of Ireland international stepped down on Monday, switching to a role within the club focusing on international development while Short takes over the chairmanship.

The move followed a difficult start to the season which has seen some Black Cats fans turn on Bruce, whose side, which received significant investment in players over the summer, have managed just one win in seven Barclays Premier League games so far.

Quinn, who appointed Bruce in 2009, insisted the former Wigan boss' position has not been weakened by the reshuffle.

He told the Daily Mail: "Steve is not isolated by this, it's the exact opposite.

"It's time for him to build a closer relationship with Ellis.

"Steve will get time for this team to gel. There's another window looming. Unless the situation becomes apocalyptic, and it's no good worrying about that, Steve will get time."

Quinn believes the rejig is in the best interests of all concerned.

"For the overall good of the club this is right," he said.

"I am happy, absolutely. Ellis is happy - he is speaking to the manager today. You'll find the manager will be happy tonight.

"Ellis will be a great chairman. The beauty of Ellis is that he has a presence. He has authority, he demands serious attention.

"After three years, he also understands football's snakes and ladders nature, that it's not about under-reaction or over-reaction.

"This can be the making of Steve Bruce.

"Steve has been in a jumpy world at clubs before, where he read things in the media, but with Ellis he won't. Ellis is straightforward, a real man, no whispering.

"He's not an operator. An operator runs with the hares and hunts with the hounds and to an extent I had to do that. Ellis is way above that.

"Don't expect him to be a media darling. He doesn't worry what's said. And he doesn't need to go out and sell himself because every Sunderland fan knows what he's done in the last three years."

PA