Bruno has backed his compatriot Adrian Colunga's decision to cut short his English adventure and return to Spain.
The right-back admits the Seagulls never really managed to fit the little forward player's "special" qualities into their overall strategy.
Not on any sort of consistent basis anyway.
But, as Colunga settles into one of Europe's most historic cities and prepares to help Granada stay up, he can reassure himself he is not the only Spanish forward to find the Championship a tough nut to crack.
Colunga is one of three established attacking players from Spain who were tempted by our second tier last summer and returned to their homeland in the winter transfer window.
Javi Guerra signed a three-year deal at Cardiff but, after just three appearances as substitute, was loaned out to Malaga recently.
He played the first 64 minutes of their important 1-0 win over Valencia last night in the race for European qualification.
Oriol Riera also secured a three-year deal, and cost Wigan £2 million from Osasuna, but his only goal came back in August against Blackpool.
He is now on loan at top-flight Deportivo La Coruna.
All of which makes Colunga, a player with a good reputation in Spain, look like a relative success.
Which he was in very small doses. But ultimately he flattered to deceive.
Bruno said: "I think he's quite a special player, something different.
"It can be hard to find room for this type of player, especially in England.
"It was difficult but he had good moments when he scored goals, he brought some flair, he scored penalties and had some assists.
"He just had the bad luck that he did not really adapt to English football."
Colunga vowed on arrival to be giving interviews in English in two months.
As soon as he got a basic grasp of the language, he turned down the chance to converse in Spanish and instead tried to use his English.
On*the field he*still had some value to the Albion squad. But he was not as important as he wanted or needed to be.
Bruno added: "When a player isn't getting the minutes he thinks he should, he has to look for his best solution.
"The club and he decided this was the best for both parties.
"Both parties are happy and that is the most important.
"He wasn't being played on a regular basis."
Colunga did not sign in time to help Granada to the 1-0 win over Elche on Saturday which lifted them off the foot of the table and out of the bottom three.
They were returned to the relegation zone when Bruno's old club Almeria beat Colunga's former employers Getafe on Sunday.
But it is an incredibly tight battle for survival.
Colunga can take encouragement from the feats of another Spanish striker who did not last long with Albion as he starts his new challenge.
David Rodriguez, a deadline-day signing this time last year, did not enjoy many highlights in half a season with the Seagulls.
Those he had tended to come up north in midweek, like a goal at Blackburn and a header against the bar at Sheffield Wednesday.
But he has been a big hit in the Madrid suburbs this term with 12 goals towards Alcorcon's surprise play-off push in the second tier.
"David struggled to adapt to English football," said former team mate Andrea Orlandi.
"With more time he could gave been a really good player but it's a difficult move."
Colunga has found that the hard way. But he is*in quite good company.
Original article
The right-back admits the Seagulls never really managed to fit the little forward player's "special" qualities into their overall strategy.
Not on any sort of consistent basis anyway.
But, as Colunga settles into one of Europe's most historic cities and prepares to help Granada stay up, he can reassure himself he is not the only Spanish forward to find the Championship a tough nut to crack.
Colunga is one of three established attacking players from Spain who were tempted by our second tier last summer and returned to their homeland in the winter transfer window.
Javi Guerra signed a three-year deal at Cardiff but, after just three appearances as substitute, was loaned out to Malaga recently.
He played the first 64 minutes of their important 1-0 win over Valencia last night in the race for European qualification.
Oriol Riera also secured a three-year deal, and cost Wigan £2 million from Osasuna, but his only goal came back in August against Blackpool.
He is now on loan at top-flight Deportivo La Coruna.
All of which makes Colunga, a player with a good reputation in Spain, look like a relative success.
Which he was in very small doses. But ultimately he flattered to deceive.
Bruno said: "I think he's quite a special player, something different.
"It can be hard to find room for this type of player, especially in England.
"It was difficult but he had good moments when he scored goals, he brought some flair, he scored penalties and had some assists.
"He just had the bad luck that he did not really adapt to English football."
Colunga vowed on arrival to be giving interviews in English in two months.
As soon as he got a basic grasp of the language, he turned down the chance to converse in Spanish and instead tried to use his English.
On*the field he*still had some value to the Albion squad. But he was not as important as he wanted or needed to be.
Bruno added: "When a player isn't getting the minutes he thinks he should, he has to look for his best solution.
"The club and he decided this was the best for both parties.
"Both parties are happy and that is the most important.
"He wasn't being played on a regular basis."
Colunga did not sign in time to help Granada to the 1-0 win over Elche on Saturday which lifted them off the foot of the table and out of the bottom three.
They were returned to the relegation zone when Bruno's old club Almeria beat Colunga's former employers Getafe on Sunday.
But it is an incredibly tight battle for survival.
Colunga can take encouragement from the feats of another Spanish striker who did not last long with Albion as he starts his new challenge.
David Rodriguez, a deadline-day signing this time last year, did not enjoy many highlights in half a season with the Seagulls.
Those he had tended to come up north in midweek, like a goal at Blackburn and a header against the bar at Sheffield Wednesday.
But he has been a big hit in the Madrid suburbs this term with 12 goals towards Alcorcon's surprise play-off push in the second tier.
"David struggled to adapt to English football," said former team mate Andrea Orlandi.
"With more time he could gave been a really good player but it's a difficult move."
Colunga has found that the hard way. But he is*in quite good company.
- Calderwood named as Albion assistant
- Why Colunga headed home - and he's not alone
- Kayal set for first action in a Seagulls shirt
- Blackpool prospect still on Albion's radar
- Lewes bring in experienced striker
Original article