David Bruce leaving SAFC

[DonaldDownTheWing]

Wonder whether we need a CEO who can oversee a large infrastructure build?

 

[Mad Max]

Disappointing news as it's clear to see the improvements with the kit and stadium. Not sure a non Sunderland fan would have had that deep knowledge to do the same.

However he was brought in during the championship and as mentioned, we've pretty much upgraded every other aspect of the club since promotion.

 

[DonaldDownTheWing]

Disappointing news as it's clear to see the improvements with the kit and stadium. Not sure a non Sunderland fan would have had that deep knowledge to do the same.

However he was brought in during the championship and as mentioned, we've pretty much upgraded every other aspect of the club since promotion.

It was a coup to get him in the championship though. He felt like a very Premier League level operator.

 

[Weststand]

Wonder whether we need a CEO who can oversee a large infrastructure build?

Was thinking this driving into work this morning myself

 

[RedandWhiteRebel]

Does he deserve his own stone on the upcoming Legends Way or is that a step too far?

 

[TheBronzeBummer]

Was thinking this driving into work this morning myself

Is this a Weststand normality? Thinking about stands

 

[Bamber]

Fan of Monster Energy, who a few in the new sponsor thread were suggesting maybe ours next season

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[wardleymackum]

Does he deserve his own stone on the upcoming Legends Way or is that a step too far?

I'm sure he could afford the £99 himself.

 

[Cool as Fridges]

Can understand the rationale behind appointing a CEO but can’t help feel we’ve missed a trick here by not keeping Bruce at the club in some capacity.

Everything he seems to have touched as been positive and having a dyed in the wool mackem in such a prominent role makes a huge difference. It’s the details that have made a difference. I worry that a new CEO coming in to an overarching role is going to be otherwise engaged to be looking at them.

Of course, they may have talked about that and Bruce wanted something bigger than the club can offer. He’s clearly excellent at what he does and had a big role in the MLS before joining us. The statements from both parties plus Bruce staying for a tradition period suggest they’ve parted amicably.

 

[lostinorthumberland]

It’s things like

Hummel deal
The landmarks and images in the kits- lighthouse, kit wheel, bridge hotel vaults tiles, ship icon in the red stripes
The shop
Gary Bennett, Gates and Gabbiadini in the ad campaigns
The Ballard and Watson mural
The pre derby “follow the mackems” campaign
Jimmy Montgomery stand
Lettering on east stand
New hospitality areas
Concourse revamp and murals
Xhaka video
Upping our Tifo game eg the lambton worm
Huge improvement to social media
“Visitors”
Legends way

All of these seem to have his fingerprints all over them although obviously there is a big team involved.

 

[RedandWhiteRebel]

I'm sure he could afford the £99 himself.

I meant a main Legends stone not a supporter purchased stone.

 

[Smiter]

Wonder whether we need a CEO who can oversee a large infrastructure build?

You literally just posted on another thread saying don’t turn this into another stadium expansion thread, and here you go again

 

[Turnip from the Tip]

It’s things like

Hummel deal
The landmarks and images in the kits- lighthouse, kit wheel, bridge hotel vaults tiles, ship icon in the red stripes
The shop
Gary Bennett, Gates and Gabbiadini in the ad campaigns
The Ballard and Watson mural
The pre derby “follow the mackems” campaign
Jimmy Montgomery stand
Lettering on east stand
New hospitality areas
Concourse revamp and murals
Xhaka video
Upping our Tifo game eg the lambton worm
Huge improvement to social media
“Visitors”
Legends way

All of these seem to have his fingerprints all over them although obviously there is a big team involved.

Totally agree

 

[Smiter]

It is a shame, and if it’s purely about bringing in a CEO who operates at a higher level, then it’s a shame they promoted him into a more senior position, and he isn’t still here working under a CEO.

 

[HarrogateMackem]

I, and I’m sure many others, don’t mind paying when the product is top notch though.

I personally don’t want to see us introducing membership schemes.

Off the field this is my biggest concern right now. I consider it as a straight up fleecing of fans money and a mark off a “commercial organisation”

 

[SPUFF]

Criminal pricing

This

You seen some of our ticket pricing?

Then refusing holders to downgrade to normal seats after a season?

 

[ivanthereasonable]

Wonder whether we need a CEO who can oversee a large infrastructure build?

I think Bob Murrey is available.

 

[SPUFF]

I think Bob Murrey is available.

Faultless bloke him. Read it in his book.

 

[Geras]

Maybe he invited Farage

 

[chriswallace85]

If Sadiki left tomorrow, I’d back our recruitment team to find the answer. That’s what we’re built for.

Bruce is a different problem entirely. A boyhood Sunderland fan who left a career at the top of the MLS to come home. You’re not finding that profile again. That person simply doesn’t exist.

And it matters because so much of what’s reconnected this club with its fanbase these past two years isn’t replicable by just hiring a competent CEO. A lot of it happened because it was Bruce.

Absolutely no disrespect to David Bruce, but you can't employ somebody above their pay grade just because they're a fan. Things move on.

At the end of the day, the reconnection has been made. The project has been delivered. And most importantly, those still at the club have seen how it's done.