READING striker Andy Carroll has taken a brutal swipe at Steve Bruce after he was sacked as West Brom manager.
The former England star was speaking to the media ahead of Reading’s clash with the Baggies, which will be their first since Bruce’s departure.
Andy Carroll is enjoying a second spell at Reading
Steve Bruce was dismissed as West Brom boss after an awful run of results left them in the relegation zone
Carroll, 33, worked with him at West Brom last campaign and at Newcastle for two seasons.
But there seems little love between them as the veteran striker took a sly dig at his former manager saying: “It’s always sad to see people get the sack.
“Especially when we were guaranteed three points at the weekend. It is a shame but that’s football.
“You don’t get the results, it’s a business at the end of the day. That’s why you have to keep the lads together and work hard as a manager and get the lads working hard for you.”
The ex-Manchester United defender is not popular among Geordies due to his underwhelming spell as manager at St James’ Park.
Bruce was sacked from his position at West Brom with the club 22nd in the Championship table, their lowest league position in two decades.
The Baggies have won just one league match this season and Carroll admitted he was surprised at how bad his former side are doing.
He said when asked about their poor form: “I’m surprised.
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“They’ve got a great squad and a great team. It’s surprising to see them down there but it is the way football is.
“If they win the next three or four games they’re right back up there.”
Carroll has netted once for Reading this season and they are enjoying a positive start to the season with the club sitting 5th in the table.
