Steve Bruce’s Blackpool reign came to an end at the weekend after a dismal start to the League One season left the Seasiders in the relegation zone.
The 64-year-old, appointed in September 2024, was dismissed following a 2–0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon that left his side with seven losses from their first 11 league matches.
‘Impossible to Make Any Case’
Analysts were united in their criticism of Blackpool’s performances this season. Speaking on the Not The Top 20 Podcast, respected presenter Ali Maxwell called the team “one of the most unimpressive in the EFL,” second only to Sheffield United in terms of underperformance.
“It was a pathetic display,” said Maxwell. “Blackpool, probably behind Sheffield United, are the most unimpressive team in the whole of the EFL this season.”
Co-host George Elek went further, arguing that the decision to sack Bruce was both inevitable and justified.
“I’d love to make a case that it was too early, but it had to happen,” Elek said. “The results have been terrible, the performances have been bad, and the numbers are bad. When you’re backed heavily in the summer, you live and die by results.”
Statistically, Blackpool’s struggles were stark. They scored just 10 goals from an expected 7.42, while conceding 19: the fourth-worst defensive record in the division.
Bruce’s Short and Stuttering Spell
Bruce’s time at Bloomfield Road began brightly, with four wins from his opening four fixtures offering early promise. However, that momentum quickly faded as injuries mounted and form collapsed. The former Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion boss also endured personal tragedy away from the game, and by the time he returned, Blackpool had slipped down the table.
Despite a summer of significant investment and renewed optimism, results failed to match expectations. Saturday’s defeat to Wimbledon was described as the “final straw” by insiders, prompting the club to act.
Coaches Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence have also departed, while Stephen Dobbie and Steve Banks will take interim charge as the Seasiders prepare for a trip to Stockport County.
Writer’s View
Bruce’s departure feels like a necessary reset for a side that never found rhythm under his leadership. A promising start last autumn gave way to stagnation and confusion, with supporters increasingly frustrated by passive performances and tactical inconsistency.
With the club now searching for a replacement — and several experienced names already linked — the next appointment must reignite belief both in the dressing room and on the terraces. For Bruce, it marks another difficult chapter in a long managerial career that once promised much more than recent results have delivered.
