Hull City boss Steve Bruce has revealed how a word from Sir Alex Ferguson helped him relax in the job.

Bruce played for almost ten years at Manchester United for Ferguson.

He said: "When I first went into management, I wanted to know why we used HP sauce instead of another brand. You want to know if the tea is hot.

"You want to make your mark on things - but some of the stuff I got into trying to prove I was the boss was ridiculous. 'I remember asking Sir Alex, 'How do you do it?

"He said, 'Well, I'm fortunate. I sleep'.

''It's difficult because you become engulfed by the job. But these days I don't read about sport. I don't listen to it.

"I listen to Chris Evans in the morning. I listen to Radio Two. Sometimes even Radio Four and I'm thinking, 'F***ing hell, Steve what are you doing?'

"When I listen to Evans, I haven't got football in my head. I don't have football shows on while I am in the car at all.

"You have to try to find a way. Try to take your mind away from it and think clearly. Then you have a chance.

"I think, though, when you get a bit older, you realise you have to relax and get away from it when you can. I had my day off yesterday and I was up at 6.45am and out walking my two boxer puppies.

"When I think about football, I think if we stay here in the Premier League I will be delighted.

"We always punch above our weight here, but we have to keep trying and moving forward."