Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has expressed his interest in remaining on at the club for a further ten years. However, the former Manchester United skipper has warned that the Blues must stay in the Premiership if they are to earn the money they need to develop their stadium, a good training ground and a squad of players to be proud of.
Although it will be a tough task for Bruce, he always has the long-term future of the club in his mind. "I heard Alan Curbishley say that he now feels Charlton are established as a Premiership team because they are now coming up to completing their third season in a row in this division," he said.
"He now feels established because with a run like that comes the income; the infrastructure becomes bigger and better; he is more equipped to have a better squad and has better training facilities - and all because of being in the Premiership for three years."
"We've only been in six months, and already the changes here have been quite extra-ordinary - not just in terms of the playing personnel but the staff we've got and the facilities. We've got to stay here by hook or by crook because we want to be an established Premiership team. I hope people will be able to look back in 10 years and say `he's left the club, but they are in good shape', he added.
"But it is crucial to stay in the Premiership because the financial gap between it and the First Division is enormous. People say that if you go down you can bounce straight back. Teams like Charlton have done that - but there are no guarantees. Take a look at Derby County, languishing in the bottom half of the First Division," he pointed out.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
