Bruce pledges future to Sunderland

But the former Manchester United star admits he would be keen on a crack at the England job.

Bruce said: “If anything like that came along, I’d know I’d have to have done a wonderful job at Sunderland.

“If you do get the chance to manage your country, it has got to be the ultimate.

“I never got there as a player– I didn’t even get in a single squad – but if the opportunity one day came along to manage my country, it would be the pinnacle.

“But I do believe the England job has to be your last job. I don’t think there’s a way back into club management after that, unless you do as Steve McClaren has done and go abroad.

“I’d be happy if this was my last job in club management. Sunderland is a great place to be, a great place to work at and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.

“I don’t think you can take anything for granted but I signed a three-year deal when I came here and I hope I can sign another one.

“That’s the way I feel at the moment. It’s going very well and we’ve got the makings of a decent team.”