Aston Villa manager news: Why Steve Bruce is the best man for the job following Roberto Di Matteo’s sacking
Former Hull and Birmingham boss has won more promotions to the Premier League than any other man in football history
THE international break has so far been most famous for two things: Gareth Southgate's first few days into life as interim England boss and managerial sackings.
Francesco Guidolin was given the boot by Swansea on his birthday after their slow start, while Roberto Di Matteo was also axed by Championship side Aston Villa.
The Villans have only won one game all season in all competitions, as they sit 19th in the second tier on just ten points from their opening 11 games.
It spelled the end for former Champions League-winning boss Di Matteo, with the door still open for a new boss at Dr Tony Xia's club.
Ryan Giggs had his odds on becoming the new Aston Villa boss halved on Tuesday, with speculation surrounding Roy Keane and Tim Sherwood also gathering momentum.
But the favourite remains former Hull chief Steve Bruce... And he is truly the right man for the job.
Now I am not saying Bruce is not a Premier League level manager, but it's fair to say he excels in the Championship.
In fact, no manager in football history has earned as many promotions to the top flight as Bruce.
What are the odds? Next Aston Villa manager...
Steve Bruce – Evens
David Wagner – 5/2
Dean Smith – 4/1
Ryan Giggs – 6/1
Steve Clarke – 8/1
Steve McClaren – 12/1
Sam Allardyce – 12/1
Tim Sherwood – 12/1
Lee Johnson – 14/1
Roy Keane – 20/1
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The former Manchester United defender has dragged his side up to the Prem on four separate occasions - twice with Birmingham in 2001-02 and 2006-07 and a further two times with Hull in 2012-13 and 2015-16.
He only left the KCOM Stadium side this summer over a row with the club hierarchy over their transfer budget and is clearly still a talented boss.
Giggs could yet be a great manager, but he is so unproven that it would constitute a major gamble for the Midlands side, whose fans want - and expect - a club of their stature to be battling for a European berth, not languishing in the second tier.
With Keane and Sherwood failing to set the managerial world alight in recent stints in England, it is time for Villa to go with the tried and tested method - Bruce...
...That is, if England don't steal him away first.