Fast forward to 2009 and Bruce has done his vanishing trick again, this time departing to Sunderland.
The major worry is that every time he leaves, he seems to do so after decimating the first team squad.
At present the Latics have just one recognised first team forward in Hugo Rodallega, and he doesn't have even one season's experience in the Premierleague. The squad is presently made up of eighteen "first team" players. That list includes Antonio Valencia who could well leave, and Marlon King and Olivier Kapo who aren't so good.
After arriving at the club before Christmas in 2007, Bruce turned the club around and lifted the Latics from a certain relegation to a respectable mid-table place.
He then followed this up with a succesful season this time around. Another season of Premiership survival this year which was achieved at a canter, he was also given the club players such as Wilson Palacios, Maynor Figueroa, Amr Zaki and Charles N'Zogbia.
On the flip side we are also left with Olivier Kapo, Daniel de Ridder and Marlon King.
Whilst his achievements on the playing side of things cannot be doubted, what is in question is the loyalty of Bruce to his epmployers.
Everyone knows about his acrimonious departure in 2001, but, he left Birmingham in the lurch to join the Latics in 2007 and so this departure cannot have been unexpected.
It is certainly not a big loss for the club. Bruce has certainly been successful during his time with the club and he is undoubtadly a manager of some calibre. What he does however lack is the ability to build for the long term and that is why he will never reach the top and his dream job at Manchester United.
He is a good stop gap. A manager who will come in and keep a team up (he would have done well at Newcastle), but he isn't a manager for the long term given his itchy feet.
So long and thanks for all the fish Mr Bruce, you've served the club well and we wish you all the best for the future, but now is the time for the Latics to kick on and bring in a fresh young talent with ambition.
The club has a solid reputation in the Premierleague and is able to attract high quality players and a high quality manager.
What opportunity this does give to the Latics is the chance to clear the wage bill of big earners such as Antoine Sibierski, Henri Camara, Jason Koumas, Marlon King and Olivier Kapo and bring in a new manager who can then stamp his authority on team affairs.
With an empty wage bill and the money from the sales of Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey still in the coffers, this job represents an excellent opportunity to an incoming manager.
The fans' favourite to take over is Roberto Martinez who would certainly play the sort of football supporters would want to see at the JJB Stadium.
Despite lacking experience, Martinez would be the fresh air that the club presently needs. He is also likely to hang around for a few years and give the club the stability that is much needed at present.
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