Black Cats boss Bruce hits out at Houllier over Darren swoop

LONDON: Sunderland manager Steve Bruce accused Aston Villa coach Gerard Houllier of showing a lack of respect as the bitter war of words between the two Premier League clubs over the transfer of striker Darren Bent continued.

Bruce was seething over the loss of Bent, who signed for struggling Villa in a shock £24mil move this week.

“I would have liked even a phone call from Mr Houllier, for whom I did have the utmost respect for what he’s done,” said Bruce.

“I would have thought that, out of respect, maybe he would have picked up the telephone to say, ‘We are interested in buying your striker’.

“That at least would have given me an opportunity to try to do something about it.

“If you are telling me we gave them permission to speak to him at 8pm on Sunday and it is done and dusted and there’s a press conference by Tuesday, I don’t think we should insult our intelligence.

“We know in football it happens, we all know what goes on. We are disappointed with somebody of his magnitude, but there you go.”