Newly appointed Blackpool head coach Steve Bruce has admitted that, despite taking charge of the League One side, he hasn’t watched much football from the division in recent years.
The 63-year-old, who has been out of management for nearly two years, insisted he has kept busy watching various levels of the game during his time away, but he told the Blackpool Gazette that didn’t include League One. Despite being linked with several clubs, Bruce spent much of his time watching matches at Salford City, where his son Alex is the assistant manager to Karl Robinson, and his son-in-law, Matt Smith, played last season.
Taking over at Blackpool marks a shift for Bruce, who has spent most of his managerial career in the top two tiers of English football. While admitting he hasn’t seen much of League One recently, Bruce emphasised his connection to the lower leagues, noting the ‘real’ nature of football at that level, which he has always enjoyed.
“It’s in you to watch the matches, I have to be brutally honest, I haven’t seen a lot of Division One,” Bruce acknowledged. “I’ve seen more of Division Two, my son is assistant manager at Salford, and last season, my son-in-law played for Salford. I’ve seen a lot of Salford, and a lot of the lower divisions. I’m really enjoying it.”
Bruce’s first game in charge will be against Exeter City this Saturday. Interestingly, Blackpool is the club where he made his professional debut back in 1979 while playing for Gillingham. Although Bruce downplayed any notion of his managerial stint coming full circle, he recalled his past encounters with the Seasiders and spoke of his excitement at leading the team forward.
“I actually made my debut against Blackpool in 1979, a long, long time ago,” Bruce said. “It’s always been a difficult place to go and get a result, and I hope that remains the case with the supporters getting behind the team.”
Despite his time away from the game, Bruce maintained his passion for football, often discussing tactics and managerial decisions with his son after Salford matches. His love for the game remains undiminished, with Bruce noting: “At the end of the day, I’m a fan of football, I just enjoy football. It’s the only thing I’ve ever been any good at. I wasn’t that good really at that either, but I got through with enthusiasm.”
Steve Bruce’s Managerial History
Steve Bruce has enjoyed a long and varied managerial career, spanning over two decades and multiple clubs across all tiers of English football. His first venture into management came in 1998 with Sheffield United, shortly after hanging up his boots as a successful defender. Though his time with the Blades was relatively short-lived, it marked the beginning of what would be a lengthy and well-travelled career in the dugout.
Bruce’s managerial journey truly began to take shape when he took charge of Huddersfield Town, followed by brief spells at Wigan Athletic and Crystal Palace. However, it was at Birmingham City where Bruce found stability and his reputation as a solid manager grew. He led the club to promotion from the Championship twice, in 2002 and 2007, and established them as a competitive Premier League side during his time at St Andrew’s. His achievements with Birmingham made him one of the more respected managers in the English game, known for his ability to assemble resilient, hard-to-beat teams.
After six years at Birmingham, Bruce returned to Wigan Athletic in 2007, this time in the Premier League. He successfully guided the club away from relegation trouble and cemented their status in the top flight. In 2009, he was appointed manager of Sunderland, marking another significant chapter in his career. His time with Sunderland was a mix of highs and lows, but he led the Black Cats to a 10th-place finish in the Premier League, their highest in a decade.
Bruce’s longest spell at one club came with Hull City, where he achieved notable success. Appointed in 2012, he led Hull to promotion to the Premier League in his first season. In 2014, Bruce took the Tigers to the FA Cup final, narrowly losing to Arsenal, but Hull’s journey to the final was one of the standout achievements of his career. Despite suffering relegation in 2015, Bruce once again guided Hull back to the Premier League via the playoffs the following year.
In 2016, Bruce left Hull and later took charge of Aston Villa in the Championship. His task was clear: to guide Villa back to the Premier League, a mission he came close to completing but ultimately fell short, losing in the 2018 playoff final. Shortly after, Bruce left Villa, paving the way for his next opportunity.
In 2019, Bruce was appointed as manager of Newcastle United, the club where he made his name as a player. His time at St James’ Park was marked by significant pressure from fans and critics alike, with many questioning his tactics and results. Nonetheless, Bruce managed to keep Newcastle afloat in the Premier League during two challenging seasons, before parting ways with the club in 2021 following their takeover by new owners.
After a brief hiatus, Bruce returned to management with West Bromwich Albion in 2022, though his time there was short as the club struggled for consistency in the Championship.
Writer’s View
Steve Bruce admitting he hasn’t watched much League One football ahead of his first game with Blackpool could certainly raise eyebrows. While his vast experience across the top two tiers of English football is undeniable, League One presents a unique set of challenges.
The pace, physicality, and style of play are notably different, and having a solid understanding of the division is crucial to adapting tactics and preparing players for the rigours of the competition. That said, Bruce’s wealth of managerial experience may help bridge the gap, but his lack of familiarity with the league could leave him vulnerable in the early stages as he acclimatises to the nuances of a lower-tier battle. The first few matches may be telling in how quickly he adjusts.
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