Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce wants Colin Calderwood as his assistant, after the 51-year-0ld resigned from his post at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Bruce has been looking for an assistant ever since he returned to the Midlands, where he has previously played for and managed Villa’s arch enemy Birmingham City. The 55-year-old has been in charge of the relegated Premier League side since last month, and has enjoyed an unbeaten five-game start to his tenure.
It now looks as though the former Manchester United skipper has found his right-hand man, with Calderwood widely tipped to return to the club he had a spell at during his playing career at the end of the nineties. The Scot quit his position as assistant manager at Brighton on Thursday, and has been placed on gardening leave.
This move ends Calderwood’s seven-year association with Seagulls boss Chris Hughton, who is now expected to promote from within his coaching team to fill the void. Villa hope to complete the appointment of the former Scotland international next week, having been rebuffed in their ambitious attempt to lure Phil Neville.
Before this is all settled, there is the matter of a Championship meeting between the two teams at the Annex Stadium on Friday evening. A win for the home side would see them draw level with Newcastle United at the head of the table, whilst Villa will go within two points of the top-six if Bruce can record the fourth win of his reign.
