Steve Bruce is reportedly ready to take the reins at Aston Villa if the club decide to make a managerial change and replace Roberto Di Matteo.
Although it hasn’t been suggested that the Italian’s position is under threat, Villa haven’t made the ideal start to the Championship campaign as they currently sit in 17th place in the table with nine points from nine games.
Given the nature of the second tier of English football, a string of wins could catapult the club right up into the promotion places, and so there is undoubtedly still plenty of time to get things right and start pushing up the table.
However, according to The Sun, Bruce is keen to return to management and is eyeing the Villa job should a change be made in the coming months.
The 55-year-old might not be the most popular of choices given his history with bitter rivals Birmingham City, but his record at this level will undoubtedly reflect well on him if Villa begin to consider alternatives.
Given the number of new faces at Villa this season, it was always going to be difficult for Di Matteo to get his side to gel immediately.
Nevertheless, there have been several disappointments along the way in terms of an inability to protect leads in games that they should have won, and so far, it has cost them dearly.
After their 1-1 draw at home with Newcastle United on Saturday evening, Villa supporters will hope that it was a positive sign to spark a good run of results in the weeks ahead.
While Di Matteo shouldn’t be looking over his shoulder just yet, these kind of reports certainly add extra pressure and it remains to be seen whether or not he can avoid seeing his Villa dream turn into a nightmare.