“No Desire to Quit Just Yet”: Steve Bruce Returns to Management with Blackpool
Steve Bruce returns to management with Blackpool after a brief retirement, aiming to lead the club to promotion. In this exclusive interview, Bruce shares his passion for the game, his ambition to succeed with Blackpool, and the lessons learned from his time at West Brom and Newcastle.
Image Credits: Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Steve Bruce enjoyed a stellar career at the top level as a manager and a player, but now he’s postponed retirement to achieve even more success.
The Call of Football Was Too Strong
Having “forced” himself to take a much-needed break from football, the 63-year-old has made the big call to get back in business with Blackpool.
The former Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Hull City and Sunderland boss is confident he still has plenty to offer after nearly two years since his last job with West Brom.
A Career Full of Silverware and Promotions
Having won a raft of titles and silverware as player and having enjoy plenty of promotions and success as a coach, Blackpool are hoping he’s the man to bring them the success the rightly crave.
“I just decided retirement wasn’t for me, I’ve just missed football too much,” Bruce told SportsBoom.com.
“I’ve been raring to go, even though there’s not many 60-year-olds in management these days.”
“But you never lose that enthusiasm and love for the game, I’ve been very lucky to have had the career I’ve had.”
“There was a time when I thought I’ve done my stint, but the enjoyment and love of football has brought me back to work.”
“It can be a refreshing, I’m here to improve the team and the players.”
“I wouldn’t have taken the challenge if I didn’t think I can succeed.”
“When you get to a certain age you think ‘well, I’m on the scrap heap’, but I hope that I’ve still got a lot to offer.”
If experience can help, well then I have an abundance of that.
Steve Bruce
The Lessons of West Brom and Newcastle
When Bruce left Newcastle after two and a half years, he was tempted to take over at West Brom.
In hindsight he believes he might have been better to take his break from the game then, but the opportunity to manage the Baggies was too good to turn down.
His spell didn’t go well, and he lasted just eight months, with the Midlands’ club sacking him in October 2022.
“Let’s hope it’s (my spell here) better than my last appointment,” stressed Bruce, who is now managing his 12th club in a decorated career.
“With Newcastle, to finish 11th and 12th in the Premier League like we did, was a great achievement, but it’s a totally different club now. And when West Brom came in I couldn’t turn the down.”
I never thought I’d step back for good, but I was wondering to myself whether I could step back and maybe do something in a different capacity.
Steve Bruce
A Familiar Team and Fresh Ambition
“But when the opportunity came along here at Blackpool I thought ‘why not?’ I know (sporting director) David Downes from my time at Aston Villa and I know (chief scout) Dean Hughes from my time at Hull, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday.”
“Once I’d met the owner (Simon Sadler) and listened to his ideas I then I thought to myself ‘let’s see whether I can try and get them where they want to get too’.”
Bruce didn’t need much persuasion to answer the Seasiders’ SOS call as they look to win promotion from League One back into the Championship.
After his prolonged break – one which has seen him enjoy welcome family time, especially his four grandchildren, and dedicate time to building a new house, Bruce hopes to be the man to guide the ambitious Bloomfield Road club to plenty of success having penned a two-year deal with the club.
The Road to Promotion
“My main aim is to be on the training ground as much as I can, I thoroughly enjoy that side of it and, when a Saturday afternoon comes around, I’ve really missed it,” added Bruce. “Simple as that!”
He teased: “I’m championing the 60-year-olds to get back into work.”
“But, joking aside, it all used to 60-year-olds plus who were the managers. Now it’s gone younger.”
“It’s different nowadays, so you have to evolve. But I do believe I’ve surrounded myself with young people.”
“I’ve got Dobes (former Blackpool player and first team coach Stephen Dobbie) and Keesey (former Blackpool player, interim manager and now first team coach) Richard Keogh), who are both desperate to learn and do well. They’ve got a big connection with the club.”
“And I’ve also worked has Aggers (assistant manager Steve Agnew) as my loyal assistant for years. It seems like a good fit.”
“I like helping the younger players in particular, but even the more experienced ones as well, can I help them achieve promotion and playing at a higher level.”
“Everybody wants to get back there (the Championship). We’ve got a competitive squad.”
“It’s going to be difficult because of what League One is this year, there’s some big teams in it, but I do believe we can have got a squad which is capable of being there or thereabouts (to promotion). That’s the challenge.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.