West Brom terminated Steve Bruce’s contract while the team was struggling in the relegation zone of the Championship. Despite the challenges, the former Manchester United defender feels that he was on the brink of achieving something significant at The Hawthorns.
Bruce, 62, is eager to make a return to management. He was previously linked to Gillingham and has now expressed interest in the vacant Republic of Ireland job. Reflecting on his time at Albion, Bruce, who was dismissed in October of the previous year after just one victory in 13 games, shared his thoughts.
Upon taking over from Valerian Ismael in February 2022, Bruce inherited a team positioned fifth in the table. However, he failed to make a substantial impact, resulting in a mid-table finish for the 2021/22 season. Eventually, he was let go with the club in the relegation zone. Carlos Corberan’s intervention improved the team’s performance, narrowly missing out on the playoffs on the final day.
Bruce believes he was on the verge of success despite facing challenges, pointing to a run of eight draws in the first 12 games. Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes Fanzone, Bruce expressed disappointment with the way his tenure at West Brom concluded. He believed they were close to achieving a different outcome, emphasizing the need for more time to implement changes.
Bruce acknowledged the financial issues at the club and expressed hope for their resolution. Despite his disappointment, he recognized the realities of football and accepted the circumstances.
Joining West Brom immediately after leaving his boyhood club, Newcastle United, where he faced severe criticism from the fans, Bruce admitted that the transition might have been too hasty. Reflecting on his mental state post-Newcastle, he acknowledged that taking on the West Brom job shortly thereafter might not have been the best decision. However, he harbors no regrets, expressing satisfaction with attempting the challenge despite the club’s financial difficulties.
Leave a Reply