Stephen Clemence has returned to League One after being appointed first-team coach at Blackpool, linking up once again with Steve Bruce following a short spell in charge of Barrow.
The 47-year-old reunites with Bruce after previous coaching stints under his leadership at Sunderland, Hull City, Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion. Clemence most recently managed Gillingham and Barrow in League Two, gaining valuable experience as a number one before stepping back into a supporting role for the upcoming season.
He will begin his duties immediately at Blackpool’s Equity Energies Training Centre before travelling with the squad to Spain for their pre-season training camp later this week.
“It’s great to be back in the game and to be working alongside the gaffer, the rest of the staff and the players,” Clemence said. “I’ve both played and worked alongside the gaffer for a number of years now, and have enjoyed some great moments, not least the three promotions we have shared. I’m really happy to be joining Blackpool and looking forward to the future.”
Bruce also welcomed the appointment, describing Clemence as “a talented coach” who will add significant value to the backroom team as they target a return to the Championship.
Familiar Faces Reunited at Bloomfield Road
Clemence’s arrival is the latest in a series of strategic moves by Bruce as he rebuilds at Bloomfield Road. Earlier this summer, former Sunderland captain George Honeyman joined the club on a free transfer after leaving Millwall. The midfielder, who also played under Bruce at Hull City, penned a two-year deal and brings added leadership to a squad aiming for promotion.
Honeyman, 30, made 91 senior appearances for Sunderland and captained them at Wembley twice in 2019, earning a reputation as a combative and committed figure during a difficult period in the club’s history.
Clemence, meanwhile, brings an extensive coaching résumé, built on over a decade of work under Bruce across multiple clubs and divisions. As a player, he made 243 league appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, Birmingham City, and Leicester City before transitioning into coaching following retirement.
He began his coaching career at Sunderland, and despite more recent forays into management with Gillingham and Barrow, his long-standing partnership with Bruce has now led him back into the EFL’s third tier.
Writer’s View
Stephen Clemence’s move to Blackpool is no surprise—his career has long been intertwined with Steve Bruce’s, and this latest appointment only reaffirms that trusted relationship.
After a turbulent year in management, this role offers Clemence a chance to reset and focus on coaching in a stable, familiar environment. Blackpool, under Bruce’s guidance, are building a squad and backroom team with proven experience at higher levels.
