Bruce up for promotion fight with Hull
Hull City manager Steve Bruce said he was ready for the challenge of leading the club back into the Premier League following their relegation, if he is given the chance. Hull's relegation was confirmed on Sunday's final day of the Premier League season as they drew 0-0 at home to Manchester United to finish third from bottom, three points from safety. Last season's beaten FA Cup finalists needed a first win over United since 1974 and had to hope that Newcastle United would fail to beat West Ham United, but got neither. Bruce, 54, signed a three-year contract with Hull in April, but acknowledged that that does not necessarily mean his job is safe. "I've always been up for a fight," said Bruce, who led Birmingham City to promotion from the Championship in 2007, a year after being relegated with them. "I don't think it's the time to talk about myself. I've not been good enough. I'll reflect on that and have a conversation with the powers that be. "A lot of decisions have to be made, but I hope I'm given the opportunity to do so. We all know a contract means nothing in football." Last season's story was one of success for Hull. They reached a first FA Cup final, losing to Arsenal, and secured their highest ever league finish of 16th, but this campaign has been one of toil. Bruce spent £42 million ($65.1 million, 59.1 million euros) on new recruits for the campaign, but the investment has not paid off. Key signings such as Robert Snodgrass and Mohamed Diame have missed most of the season through injury, while £8 million midfielder Jake Livermore was recently suspended after failing a drugs test. United ended the match with 10 men as Marouane Fellaini was sent off in the 77th minute for a crude foul on Paul McShane, just 18 minutes after coming on as a substitute. Visiting manager Louis van Gaal was critical of the Belgian midfielder, who will face a three-match suspension at the start of the 2015-16 season. - United departures? - "For him it is unbelievably stupid because next season he starts (suspended) and then in preparation, he starts as a sub," said the Dutchman, whose side finished the campaign in fourth place. United were indebted to Victor Valdes as the goalkeeper made two fine saves on his full debut to thwart Ahmed Elmohamady and Nikica Jelavic either side of half-time. Valdes could well be United's number one next season, with David de Gea -- absent through injury at Hull -- being strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid. "I cannot say when it will be resolved," Van Gaal said when asked about De Gea. "He has to say something." De Gea is not the only United player with a question mark over his future. Van Gaal omitted Radamel Falcao from his squad, United announcing later Sunday that the Colombia striker's loan from Monaco would not be extended. Another whose destiny is not clear is Angel di Maria, who has not impressed during his first season in England. The Argentine, United's £59.7 million record signing, started for the first time since March, but lasted just 22 minutes before being substituted with a minor hamstring strain. "I have talked with everybody that I think I have to," van Gaal said. "The transfer period is a process. I know which players have to go and which have to come, but you never know if they go or if they come because it will depend on a lot of aspects."
