Bruce says yes to Hull as Allams’ ambitions impress

The 51-year-old is set to meet Tigers owners, Assem and Ehab Allam, this morning to iron out the final details before putting pen to paper on the deal.

Bruce, who has this week been at his holiday home in Portugal, will then be unveiled at a press conference at the KC Stadium to signal an end to Hull’s six week search for a new manager.

Sources close to the former Manchester United defender have indicated how impressed he has been with the Allams’ plans for Hull during discussions about him possibly filling the vacancy made by Nick Barmby’s sacking in April.

The Tigers’ hierarchy, mindful of how Old Trafford reserve team manager Warren Joyce performed a U-turn after initially accepting the offer to replace Nigel Pearson as manager last November, are understandably reluctant to comment publicly until the deal is done.

But the Yorkshire Post understands Bruce has always been their No 1 target and that talks have been ongoing for several weeks before the job was formally offered to him on Tuesday via telephone.

In targeting a manager with two previous promotions to the Premier League on his CV when in charge of Birmingham City, Hull’s owners have made it clear that promotion is the target for the ambitious East Riding club.

Once in situ at the KC, one of Bruce’s first tasks will be fending off interest from Leicester City in Liam Rosenior.

Former Tigers manager Pearson sees the full-back as a key signing for the Foxes this summer, while it is also believed the Midlands club are eyeing James Chester and Robert Koren.

The Hull squad are due to report back for pre-season training on July 2.

Former Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United chief Bruce has been linked with a host of jobs since leaving Sunderland, most notably Norwich City earlier this week following Paul Lambert’s decision to quit and join Aston Villa.

However, the Canaries yesterday unveiled Chris Hughton as their new manager after agreeing a compensation package with his previous club, Birmingham.

Meanwhile, former Hull striker Jon Parkin, who had spells on loan at Doncaster Rovers and Huddersfield last season, has been released by Cardiff City.

Damien Johnson, who has spent the past two seasons on loan at Huddersfield, has joined Football League newcomers Fleetwood Town.

The 33-year-old midfielder was a key figure during Town’s run-in that ended with promotion but could not agree a new deal.