Clemence leaves Hull City to join Bruce at Villa Park

Simon Wilkes
Villa Park Aston Villa TEAMtalk

New Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has added Stephen Clemence to his backroom staff at the club.

The 38-year-old leaves Hull City and joins Villa as first-team coach having also previously worked with Bruce at Sunderland.

He joined Hull in 2012 and helped them to two promotions to the Premier League under Bruce and the FA Cup final in 2014.

A Hull statement read: “Everyone at the club would like to thank Stephen for his fine contribution during his four years on the coaching staff and wish him the very best in the future.”

Bruce was appointed as the new manager of Villa on Wednesday.

The 55-year-old, who left Hull City in July following a row with the club’s owners, has replaced Roberto Di Matteo at Villa Park after a disappointing start to the season.

And Bruce is confident Aston Villa can still mount a promotion challenge, saying there is the quality in the squad to bid for an immediate return to the Premier League.

He told a press conference: “I realise that we have to turn this around and I’m quietly confident with the group of players I’ve seen on paper.

“When you look at the squad we are capable of mounting a challenge and that can be this year too. We’re capable of being a very good team.

“They’ve been a little bit unfortunate but certainly the qualities are there and it’s my job to go and get the best out of them.”