Steve Bruce remains Sunderland’s first choice to succeed Ricky Sbragia despite claims from Roberto Mancini that he has been offered the manager’s job at the Stadium of Light.

Accordingly, Sunderland officials are mystified by Mancini’s claims, on Italian television today, about an offer they insist was never made. The former Internazionale manager, who is without a club, was first linked with the Wearsiders when Roy Keane walked out last December. Then, on Friday, a surge of betting on Mancini succeeding Sbragia suddenly turned him into the bookmakers’ favourite for the post.

“I am honoured to have had an offer from Sunderland football club. It is a fantastic opportunity,” Mancini told the Italian broadcaster Sky Italia. “It will be truly wonderful to lead such a prestigious and historic club in England after a year of sitting on the sidelines.” His agent, Giorgio De Giorgis, later said Sunderland had not “been in touch” or made an offer. (Guardian Online)

This is a whole new approach to getting what you want. You simply claim you have been approached even though nothing of the sort has taken place. Imagine it. You call up Sky News or a respected broadcaster and claim “I am Natalie Portman’s new boyfriend” then simply stand back and wait to see how she takes it. Maybe she is flattered and maybe she respects the direct insane approach or more likely she slaps a restraining order on you…again!

Either Roberto has been tricked by a Sunderland fan who just happened to have the former Inter Milan boss’s phone number or Mr. Mancini has a few screws loose! Either way surely he is a better option than Steve Bloody Bruce, I mean we are talking about a triple Serie A title winner here!

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