Wednesday 4 March 2015 15:04, UK
Former Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce says the touchline spat between Gus Poyet and Steve Bruce illustrates how much pressure modern day Premier League managers are under.
There were extraordinary scenes on the touchline at the KC Stadium when Sunderland boss Poyet was sent off after kicking a drinks crate, before crossing into his Hull counterpart's technical area prior to leaving the field.
The pair had to be separated by officials and the Football Association has since confirmed they will review the report of referee Mike Dean before deciding if any further action will be taken.
And Pearce, who has played against former Manchester United defender Bruce and ex-Chelsea midfielder Poyet, told The Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ that it is very difficult to manage your frustration as a top-flight manager.
“They’re two of the most level-headed managers you’ll get in the Premier League to be fair and I love the pair of them to bits,” the former England U21 manager said.
“I always have good conversations with them and you never really see this side to either of them. I’ve not seen this side to Bruce since he was playing and kicking lumps out of people but the technical area is a funny old place.
“People who have never managed before can talk about it and only speculate about what the pressures of being a manager are like. You have the expectation of the fans, the players and the chairman.
“You’re in a position where you can’t get the frustrations out of you because you can’t run around and tackle and pass. You have all the pressures of it but you’re handing it over to 11 individuals on the pitch so there is a real frustration in regards to it being in somebody else’s hands.
“That’s where all the pressure builds up and that’s where it all starts and ends.”
