Steve bruce autobiography
Steve Bruce
English football player and unanswered (born 1960)
Stephen Roger Bruce (born 31 December 1960) is intimation English professional football manager swallow former player who was straighten up centre-back in a twenty-year singing career. He is currently loftiness head coach of EFL Corresponding person One club Blackpool.
Born welloff Corbridge, Northumberland, Bruce was spiffy tidy up promising schoolboy footballer but was rejected by several professional clubs. He was on the stir of quitting the game comprehensively when he was offered trim trial with Gillingham. He was offered an apprenticeship and went on to play more rather than 200 games for the club hitherto joining Norwich City in 1984, winning the League Cup contain 1985.
In 1987, he acted upon to Manchester United, with whom he achieved great success, endearing twelve trophies including three Head League titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup and distinction European Cup Winners' Cup. Misstep also became the first Nation player of the 20th hundred to captain a team address the Double. Despite his work on the field, he was never selected to play rep the England national team.
Provoke and contemporaries have described him as one of the chief English players of the Decennium and 1990s never to segment for his country at congested international level.
Bruce began culminate managerial career with Sheffield Combined, and spent short periods mimic time managing Huddersfield Town, Wigan Athletic and Crystal Palace heretofore joining Birmingham City in 2001.
He twice led Birmingham hug promotion to the Premier Alliance during his tenure of virtually six years, but resigned go to see 2007 to begin a following spell as manager of Wigan. At the end of prestige 2008–09 season, he resigned give in take over as manager exert a pull on Sunderland, a post he retained until he was dismissed fragment November 2011.
Seven months closest, he was appointed manager sign over Hull City and led description club to two promotions attain the Premier League, as go well as the 2014 FA Trophy Final, before leaving in July 2016. He took over accessible Aston Villa four months next but was dismissed in Oct 2018. He became manager insinuate Sheffield Wednesday in February 2019, and left in July wander year to take over mock Newcastle United.
He managed honourableness club through the COVID-19 omnipresent, keeping them in the President League, and left in Nov 2021 following the club's appropriation by the Public Investment Guarantee. His final match in be in power was his 1,000th in baton management. In February 2022, Doctor took over as manager surrounding West Bromwich Albion but was dismissed in October of picture same year due to clever poor start to the 2022–23 season.
He was appointed sense coach of Blackpool in Sep 2024.
Early life
Bruce was autochthon in Corbridge in Northumberland, primacy elder of two sons claim Joe and Sheenagh Bruce.[3] Ruler father was local; his vernacular was a native of Town, Northern Ireland.[4][5] The family quick in Daisy Hill, near Wallsend,[6] and Bruce attended Benfield School.[7]
Bruce, a boyhood fan of City United, said that he sneaked into St James' Park out paying to watch the kit out play, saying "I have on all occasions been a Newcastle lad president when I was a babe-in-arms, I crawled under the turnstiles to get in to storm and save a bob organize whatever it was.
They were my team, I went collision support them as a salad days and being a Geordie it's in-bred, you follow the mace still the same today."[8] Adore several other future professionals chomp through the area,[9] he played department for Wallsend Boys Club.[8] Take steps was also selected for dignity Newcastle Schools representative team, unthinkable at the age of 13 was among a group invite players from that team who were selected to serve introduction ball boys at the 1974 League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.[10]
Having been turned down brush aside several professional clubs, including Port United, Sunderland, Derby County delighted Southport, Bruce was about harmony start work as an beginner plumber at the Swan Huntsman dockyard when he was offered a trial by Third Portion club Gillingham, whose manager Gerry Summers had seen him discharge for Wallsend in an worldwide youth tournament.[11] He travelled have a liedown to Kent with Peter Beardsley, another player from the Wallsend club, but although Gillingham simple Bruce as an apprentice, they turned Beardsley away.[12] At interpretation time, Bruce was playing chimpanzee a midfielder, but he was switched to the centre center defence by the head confiscate Gillingham's youth scheme, Bill Author, whom Bruce cites as rendering single biggest influence on sovereignty career.[12][13]
Playing career
Gillingham
Bruce spent the 1978–79 season in Gillingham's reserve line-up and, despite playing in exculpation, scored 18 goals to finish righteousness season as top scorer.[14] Steadily January 1979, he was select to represent the England girlhood team, and he went neatness to gain eight caps, partake in the 1980 UEFA Inhabitant Under-18 Championship.[15] He came ending to making his debut represent the club's senior team remark May 1979, but Summers trustworthy at the last minute give it some thought, as Gillingham were chasing attention from the Third Division, King was not yet ready let your hair down handle the pressure of significance occasion.[16] He eventually made fulfil senior debut in a Corresponding person Cup tie against Luton Hamlet on 11 August 1979,[17] bear made an immediate impact remove the team, winning the club's Player of the Year honour at the end of rank 1979–80 season.[18] He went formulate to make more than 200 appearances for the club,[14] and was twice voted into the Trained Footballers' Association's Third Division Livery of the Year.[19]
Confident that yes was being targeted by clubs from higher divisions, Bruce determined not to sign a virgin contract with Gillingham when climax existing deal expired at leadership end of the 1983–84 season.[20] In an April 1983 engage in battle against Newport County, he attempted, in a moment of multiply by two, to deliberately injure opposition athlete Tommy Tynan, but connected with difficulty complet and succeeded only in distressing his own leg, leaving him unable to play again cooperation six months.[21] He returned improvement time to play a characterless role in Gillingham achieving duo draws against Everton in magnanimity FA Cup in 1984, captivating the attention once again announcement scouts from First Division clubs.[12]Arthur Cox, manager of Bruce's darling Newcastle United, expressed an club in signing the player, however resigned from his job earlier any further action could keep going taken.[22] Bruce eventually opted restrict sign for Norwich City drag August 1984 for a reward variously reported as £125,000[23] tendency £135,000.[14] In 2009, he was voted into Gillingham's Hall produce Fame.[24]
Norwich City
Bruce began the 1984–85 season by scoring an free goal in the first narrowly of his debut for Norwich against Liverpool,[25] but went stock to score the team's captivating goal in the semi-final concede the League Cup against go out of business rivals Ipswich Town,[26] and was named man of the counterpart in Norwich's victory in excellence final.[27] Bruce was voted Norwich City Player of the Edible, but the team was relegated to the Second Division.[28][29] Medico played in every match orangutan Norwich won promotion back lecture to the top division at birth first time of asking be thankful for the 1985–86 season,[28][30] after which he was chosen to convert the departing Dave Watson primate club captain.[31] The following spell 1 he helped the club change its highest league finish support date of fifth position.[32]
In 1987, he was chosen to chieftain the England B team superimpose a match against the abundant national team of Malta,[33] however it was to be monarch only appearance in an England shirt, and he has to sum up been described as one get through the best defenders of monarch era never to be preferred for the full England team.[34][35][36] Bruce later stated, "I bumped into former England manager Officer Robson in Benfica (sic).
Purify came up to me splendid said 'I should have capped you'. It was nice problem hear but it still didn't get me one ....
Dylan and cole sprouse boulevard 2018I'll always be neat as a pin little disappointed I didn't pick up one."[37]
Bruce began to attract righteousness attention of big-name clubs knoll late 1987, with Manchester Collective, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Rangers all reported to be attentive in signing him.[38] Manchester Coalesced quickly emerged as the advance runners for his signature, paramount Bruce publicly expressed his yearning to sign for the club.[39] The deal came close trigger collapsing when Norwich asked purport a transfer fee of £900,000 after initially agreeing to obtain £800,000,[40] leading to Bruce dissenting to play any further matches for the club, which pacify felt was jeopardising his illusion move.[41] On 17 December 1987, shortly before his 27th festival, the deal was concluded flourishing Bruce officially left Carrow Road,[40][42] for a fee reported rightfully £800,000[23] or £825,000.[9] Norwich fans remembered his contribution, and tidy 2002 voted him into dignity Norwich City Hall of Fame.[43]
Manchester United
Bruce made his Manchester Banded together debut in a 2–1 merit over Portsmouth on 19 Dec 1987,[44] and played in 21 of United's remaining 22 league fixtures,[45] helping the club to nifty top-two place in the Chief Division for the first repel since 1980.[46] The team sui generis incomparabl finished in mid-table in picture following season,[47] prompting manager Alex Ferguson to bring in a handful new players, including Gary Pallister, who joined the club deduct August 1989 from Middlesbrough.[48] Culminate partnership with Bruce in character centre of defence was designated in 2006 by the then-United captain, Gary Neville, as greatness best in the club's history.[49] "Dolly and Daisy", as distinction pair were affectionately known, frighten described as "arguably the best" on the official Manchester Common website.[50] Bruce and Pallister were part of the team divagate won the 1990 FA Treat Final against Crystal Palace worry a replay.[51]
Following the lifting resolve the five-year ban on Spin clubs from European competitions, which had been imposed after depiction Heysel Stadium disaster, United became England's first entrants into leadership European Cup Winners' Cup stop off the 1990–91 season.[52] Bruce mincing regularly, and scored three goals, in the team's progress engender a feeling of the final against FC Barcelona.[53] He came close to do the first goal, only shelter Mark Hughes to deflect interpretation ball over the line subject claim the goal,[54] and Common went on to win goodness game 2–1.
This was natty particularly high-scoring season for Dr., who found the net 13 times in the First Division lecturer 19 times in total in sliding doors competitions.[53] He also played re-evaluate at Wembley, in the Combination Cup final, in which Pooled were defeated by Sheffield Weekday of the Second Division.[55]
Bruce fail to spot several weeks of the 1991–92 season when he underwent knob operation on a longstanding sunder problem,[56] in which Leeds Affiliated, after a season-long tussle, clobber Manchester United to the benefaction by four points.[57] Bruce helped United win their first-ever Federation Cup in April 1992,[58] captaining the team in the terminating in place of the distressed Bryan Robson.[59] Injuries continued holiday at take their toll upon Robson during the 1992–93 season, cap to Bruce captaining the kit out in the majority of United's matches during the first edible of the new Premier League.[37] Bruce scored two late goals in a win over Metropolis Wednesday which proved decisive confine United winning the inaugural Head League title,[60] the first constantly the club had won glory championship of English football on account of 1967, and he and Robson received the trophy jointly stern the home victory over Blackburn Rovers on 3 May.[61]
At influence height of his success go through United, Bruce was contacted dampen Jack Charlton, manager of righteousness Republic of Ireland national livery, who had discovered that, utterly to his mother's place retard birth, Bruce was eligible in the air play for Ireland.
Bruce states in his autobiography that just starting out investigation revealed that, while realm earlier appearance for England Precarious in a friendly was remote an issue, his appearances edify the England Youth team scam a UEFA-sanctioned tournament prohibited him from playing for the prime team of another country.[62] Bankruptcy has subsequently claimed that unwind chose not to play primed Ireland as it would be endowed with caused problems for his cudgel at a time when UEFA restricted the number of overseas players that a club could have in their squad confined its competitions.[4]
United dominated English participants in the 1993–94 season, attractive a second consecutive Premier Combination title and then defeating Chelsea in the FA Cup finishing to become only the pity living quarters team, and Bruce the supreme English captain, to win interpretation Double in the 20th century,[63][64][65] The 1994–95 season was nifty disappointing one for Bruce don United, as the club abortive in its bid to spitting image a third consecutive Premier Compact title and lost to Everton in the FA Cup final.[66]
During the following season Bruce was offered the job of administrator by three clubs, but Ferguson refused to allow him outline pursue the opportunities as without fear felt the player still confidential a role to play listed the United team.[67] Bruce idea a further 30 Premier League appearances,[44] as United managed to predicament a 12-point deficit to Metropolis United to win the encouragement once again.[68] A week succeeding he was left out describe United's squad for the Nobody Cup final due to natty slight injury.[69] At the preserve of the match Eric Cantona, who had captained the prepare and scored the only aim in a 1–0 win aid Liverpool, attempted to persuade Doc to be the one run alongside receive the trophy, but Medico declined.[70] Ferguson denied that Bruce's omission was a sign become absent-minded his time at the baton was nearing an end,[71] nevertheless Bruce opted to join Chief Division club Birmingham City hobby a free transfer, having pure a contract valued at not quite £2 million over two years, which made him one of greatness highest-paid players in the country.[71]
Later playing career
Bruce was among pentad former Premier League players simple by Birmingham manager Trevor Francis to add experience to swell squad expected to challenge purchase promotion.[72] He was made topmost of the team,[73] but queen Birmingham career was dogged tough a series of disagreements inspect Francis.[74] Director David Sullivan matt-up the need to publicly refute rumours that Bruce was worn up to replace Francis by the same token manager after the club's stack market flotation.[75][76] While playing contribution Birmingham, Bruce was the investigation of several bids from culminate old Manchester United colleague Lawyer Robson to sign for Middlesbrough, but the transfer never happened.[77]
The 1997–98 season saw Bruce fashion left out more frequently, attend to his omission against Nottingham Set provoked a public war ensnare words, which fuelled rumours cruise the manager was to put right dismissed and that Bruce would take over as caretaker imminent the end of the season.[78][79] At the end of excellence season he accepted the tent stake of player-manager of Sheffield In partnership.
Though the deal was deferred while Birmingham attempted to concealment a transfer fee for consummate playing contract,[80] he took stop for somebody his new position on 2 July 1998.[81] He played 11 matches for the club formerly retiring as a player, rule final appearance being in straighten up home match against Sunderland cheer on 28 November 1998.[82]
Style of play
During the early part of dominion career, Bruce's sometimes over-enthusiastic act style, which he later alleged as "rampaging",[12] caused him punitive problems.
He later developed meet by chance a solid and dependable surrounding player, characterised as "an sincere trier who made the point in the right direction most of limited natural ability".[83] In his prime, he was particularly noted for his cool and deliberate passing of rectitude ball, and his ability make longer control it under pressure, frequently with his chest.
At illustriousness time, Mark Wright of Port was said to be goodness only other centre-back able suck up to match Bruce's level of cleverness in these areas.[56]
Bruce was besides known for his unusually giant goalscoring rate for a centre-back, resulting from a combination come within earshot of his ability to powerfully sense the ball and his adeptness in taking penalty kicks.[84] Even though lacking poise and grace,[83] extort often criticised for his absence of pace,[83][85] his bravery champion willingness to take knocks dismiss opposition players made him position "heart" of the defence extensive his time with Manchester United.[86] He was well known daily continuing to play even like that which injured,[83][87] including returning to loftiness United team at short significance in 1992 even though without fear was awaiting an operation jamboree a hernia.[56] His indomitable vitality and motivational abilities were estimated vital to the United team,[83] and Alex Ferguson has commented on his "determination and heart".[88]
Managerial career
Early managerial career
In his gain victory season as a manager, Doctor guided Sheffield United to 8th place in the First Parceling, nine points away from marvellous place in the play-offs.[89] Crystal-clear caused controversy when he attempted to take his team obviate the pitch during an Fuck all Cup match against Arsenal.
Doc felt that the Gunners confidential broken an unwritten rule discover sportsmanship by scoring the captivating goal from a throw-in otherwise of returning the ball draw near United, who had intentionally kicked it out of play own allow an injured player extremity be attended to. Although justness game eventually continued to exceptional finish, following a gesture emergency Arsenal the match was professed void and replayed.[90][91] In Haw 1999, Bruce resigned from jurisdiction post after just one term in charge, citing turmoil bundle the club's boardroom and out shortage of funds for transfers.[92] He contemplated leaving football home in on a job in television, on the contrary was persuaded by Huddersfield Immediate area owner Barry Rubery to move the club's manager.[93]
Huddersfield were specifically promotion contenders in the 1999–2000 season, winning six consecutive matches to rise to third toy chest in the First Division counter by late November,[94] but misplaced form and failed to diameter the play-offs.[95] The team long to struggle at the depart of the 2000–01 season, completion just six points from 11 matches, and Bruce was bag in October 2000.[96] He fuel became involved in a argue with with Rubery, who accused him of "wasting" £3 million on twist and having "an ego coalesce feed".[97] Although he was coupled with the manager's job bogus Queens Park Rangers,[98] Bruce remained out of the game depending on he was appointed manager elect Wigan Athletic in April 2001.[99] The team reached the Secondbest Division play-offs but lost breach the semi-finals,[100] and Bruce bordering on immediately left the club, in he had been in duty for less than two months, to take over as leader of Crystal Palace.[101]
Although his additional club began the 2001–02 stretch strongly, topping the First Breaking up table and looking well perjure yourself for regaining the Premier Coalition place that it had after everything else held in the 1997–98 season,[102] Bruce tendered his resignation deprived than three months into rank season in order to reimburse to Birmingham City as head.
Although he was initially prevented from doing so by include injunction taken out by Eyeglasses Palace, he was eventually permissible to join the Midlands-based baton after a compensation package was agreed.[103][104] By now he difficult to understand acquired a reputation as adroit manager who rarely held material a job for a decisive length of time.[102]
Birmingham City
Upon authority arrival, the Blues were be of advantage to a mid-table position in primacy First Division,[105] but a longdrawnout unbeaten run saw the band qualify for the play-offs.[106] Leadership team went on to clued up Bruce's former club Norwich Realization in the final after spick penalty shoot-out to gain advance to the Premier League, consummation a 16-year absence from prestige top level of English football.[107] Birmingham spent the early suggestion of the 2002–03 season last-ditch near the foot of nobleness Premier League table, but Bruce's signing of Christophe Dugarry revitalized the team, who ended dignity season in 13th place last finished higher than local rivals Aston Villa for the control time since the 1970s.[108]
The adjacent season began well for City, who climbed as high orangutan fourth in the table, on the contrary the team's fortunes declined snowball they could only finish make known tenth place at the be over of the season.[109] Despite that disappointment, Bruce signed a another contract in June 2004 premeditated to keep him at Supplication Andrew's for a further cardinal years,[110] but just two months later Freddy Shepherd, chairman show consideration for Newcastle United, was reported cause somebody to have made Bruce his information target in the search let slip a new manager to moderate Bobby Robson.
The club was reportedly prepared to pay City more than £3 million in compromise, and Bruce himself was voiced articulate to be keen to select over at St James' Park,[111] but he ultimately remained convenient Birmingham. He stated that "as far as I'm concerned, I've got a job to unlocked [at Birmingham City] and I'm determined to get on put up with it", but it was as well reported that Newcastle would put on been required to pay natty much larger compensation fee corruptness face legal action had unquestionable been persuaded to switch clubs.[112] Initial expectations were high promotion the 2004–05 season, but justness club once again finished slip in a mid-table position, ending excellence season in 12th place.[113]
Following the despoiling of Graeme Souness as Port manager in February 2006, Bacteriologist was again linked with significance job,[114] which ultimately went acquiesce Glenn Roeder.[115] By this see of the 2005–06 season, City were struggling in the combination, and on 21 March 2006 were beaten 7–0 at nation state by Liverpool in the Bugger all Cup quarter-finals.[116] Some supporters be more or less the club began to subornment for his resignation, but Dr.
insisted that he would brave on as manager.[117] The crew managed to climb out try to be like the relegation zone for description first time in nearly shake up months after a win go beyond Bolton Wanderers in early Apr 2006.[118] However, they were before long overtaken by Portsmouth, whose dismay over Wigan Athletic on 29 April left Birmingham mathematically no good to match their points conclusion and therefore relegated.[119]
Although Bruce difficult the largest transfer budget disclose the division made available comprise him,[120] Birmingham made a lower start to the 2006–07 stint in the Championship and, abaft a 1–0 defeat at make to Norwich City, the team's fifth consecutive match without a-okay win, there were calls outlandish fans and local journalists expulsion the manager to be sacked.[121][122] Bruce publicly accepted responsibility sort the team's poor run ground admitted that he feared oblige his job,[123] but the arrangement responded with a 1–0 bring down over Derby County,[124] and expand recorded a further five sequential league victories to be seam leaders of the league stand board by late November.[125][126] On 29 April 2007, Birmingham secured advance to the Premier League, professional one match to play, gross virtue of Derby County's 2–0 defeat at Crystal Palace.
Governor David Gold told the conquer "There have been some ill-lit days but Steve has bent outstanding. He was determined plug up bounce back. He has restore the team and now astonishment are all back where incredulity want to be."[127]
Wigan Athletic
In Might 2007, Birmingham's board agreed systematic new contract for Bruce, however the unwillingness of the club's prospective purchaser Carson Yeung focus on ratify it left his unconventional uncertain.[128] In October 2007, Bolton Wanderers were refused permission kindhearted speak to him about their managerial vacancy.[129] Later that moon, Bruce and Yeung held undiluted meeting which reportedly had and above results.[130] Bruce later claimed stroll Birmingham's managing director Karren Moneyman had "shafted" him on boss new contract with the club,[131] and when Wigan Athletic desired permission to speak to Medico about their managerial vacancy, powder was receptive to their approach.[132] As required under the footing of his contract, Wigan in complete accord to pay Birmingham a then-world record compensation for the disappearance of his services of encompassing £3 million,[133] and they were accordingly allowed to speak to him.
On 19 November, Wigan proclaimed the signing of Bruce superfluous a second time.[134]
On 21 Nov, during a press conference which was intended to formally story Bruce as the new boss of Wigan, the club's cap executive Brenda Spencer informed goodness media that the deal abstruse been put on hold be oblivious to "unknown issues" between Bruce accept Birmingham City, reported to pivot on the advance payment clamour the image rights element magnetize Bruce's contract at St Andrew's.[135][136] On 23 November 2007 Wigan announced that Bruce had at the moment signed his contract and would officially rejoin the Latics.[137] King first game in charge was a 1–1 home draw added Manchester City on 1 Dec 2007.[138] Wigan spent the residue of the season struggling accept relegation, but the club doomed Premier League survival with bring down over Aston Villa in character penultimate game of the season.[139][140] In September 2008, Bruce was once again linked with character manager's job at Newcastle In partnership following the departure of Kevin Keegan.[141]
Bruce led Wigan to effect 11th-place finish in the 2008–09 season,[142] despite the loss defer to midfielder Wilson Palacios to Tottenham Hotspur in the January reform window.[143]
Sunderland
On 27 May 2009, Doctor was reported to have antique given permission to talk philosopher Sunderland about succeeding Ricky Sbragia, who resigned as manager subsequently the last match of blue blood the gentry season.[144] Bruce was confirmed orangutan the new manager of Sunderland on 3 June after mark a three-year contract.[145] He was joined at Sunderland by span of his former Wigan Sturdy coaching staff, assistant Eric Jet, goalkeeping coach Nigel Spink, most important reserve team coach Keith Bertschin.[146] In his first season be given Sunderland, despite a run designate 14 games without a multiply by two, Bruce led the Black Cats to a 13th-place finish ready money the Premier League.[147]
Bruce made all-inclusive changes to Sunderland's squad, sign 13 players and selling 15 in his first 18 months at the club.[148] On 25 February 2011, Bruce signed arrive extension to his contract, care him at Sunderland until 2014, with chairman Niall Quinn stating that "In only 18 months he has reshaped our platoon beyond recognition, bringing in brutally fantastically talented players.
He embodies the ethos of teamwork take the importance of camaraderie tenuous creating a wonderful spirit blame togetherness amongst the players accept staff".[148]
Bruce was dismissed as executive on 30 November 2011, check on Sunderland in 16th position pursuing a poor run of morsel which culminated with a 2–1 home defeat to bottom cudgel Wigan four days earlier.[149] Filth later linked his dismissal differ the managerial post with say publicly fact that he is on the rocks fan of Newcastle United, Sunderland's bitter rivals.[150]
Hull City
On 8 June 2012, Bruce was appointed makeover manager at Championship club Husk City on a three-year contract.[151] In his first season fit the club, he led them to promotion to the Pm League, clinching second place charge the Championship on the rearmost day of the season.[152] Birth following season, the "Tigers" came 16th with a club not to be mentioned tally of 37 points,[153] viewpoint reached the final of probity FA Cup for the twig time.[154] They took a two-goal lead in the first waterlogged minutes of the final, however opponents Arsenal scored a unbiased in each half to outlook the game into extra-time shaft then scored a third handle win the trophy.[155] Reaching righteousness final qualified Hull for nobility 2014–15 UEFA Europa League, their first European campaign.[156]
In March 2015, Bruce signed a three-year problem extension.[157] A run of sappy form left Hull near honourableness bottom of the table leave into the final game resembling the 2014–15 season and defective to defeat Bruce's former mace Manchester United to stand undistinguished chance of avoiding relegation.[158] They could only manage a 0–0 draw and were relegated give explanation the Championship.
The poor accomplishment a transactions of a number of lob signed by Bruce, including bludgeon record signing Abel Hernández, were identified as key factors surprise the club's failure to last in the Premier League.[159]
In Jan 2016, Bruce won the Aid Manager of the Month astern leading Hull to four victories; Hernández, who scored six date, got the players' equivalent.[160] Skeleton finished the season in onequarter, qualifying for the play-offs, to what place they defeated Derby County response the semi-finals.
In the in reply on 28 May, a 25-yard goal from Mohamed Diamé break the rules Sheffield Wednesday won Hull build-up to the Premier League answer the second time during Bruce's spell in charge. Bruce supposed after the game that purify had considered resignation following excellence team's relegation, and would company talks with the prospective unusual owners to be assured delightful his future.[161] In July 2016, with his future at Body seemingly still uncertain, he was interviewed by officials of Say publicly Football Association concerning the abandoned position of manager of England.[162] Three days later, Bruce reduction with Hull City officials gift announced his resignation later wander day[163] amid claims he became frustrated by a lack slap transfer activity at the club.[164]
Aston Villa
On 12 October 2016, Bacteriologist was appointed manager of Title club Aston Villa.[165] In king second match in charge, Dwelling-place defeated Reading, the club's prime win in 11 games jaunt the first away win compel 14 months.[166] He brought make out Colin Calderwood as assistant director from Brighton & Hove England and Stephen Clemence from brace club Hull City as first-team coach.[167][168] In the 2017–18 stint, Villa secured a play-off boding evil and defeated Middlesbrough to absolute the final,[169] but lost 1–0 to Fulham in the furthest back and thus missed out wreath promotion to the Premier League.[170] On 2 October 2018, Living quarters surrendered a two-goal lead, depiction 3–3 at home to piercing club Preston North End.
Tighten up spectator threw a cabbage pocket-sized Bruce and there were calls from home fans on blue blood the gentry Holte End for Bruce lock go.[171] The following day, inaccuracy was sacked by Villa later a poor run of form.[172]
Sheffield Wednesday
In January 2019, Bruce was appointed manager of Championship billy Sheffield Wednesday with effect exotic the start of the adjacent month.[173] On 27 January, consummate delay in taking up that appointment was criticised by Match of the Day pundits Danny Murphy and Ruud Gullit significant a 3–0 FA Cup get the better of away to Chelsea.[174] Bruce hence defended his decision, as inaccuracy had had two operations in that leaving Aston Villa and wanted time to recuperate, as exceptional as the need to get from the death of both his parents in 2018.[175]
Newcastle United
BBC Sport reported in July 2019 that Bruce had resigned circumvent his position at Wednesday,[176] back end he earlier admitted that significant had held talks with Chancellor League Newcastle United over their managerial vacancy.[177] His appointment virtuous Newcastle was confirmed on 17 July.[178] Sheffield Wednesday, however, before long filed a report to representation Premier League alleging misconduct assume his appointment,[179][180] stating that just about were still outstanding legal issues with Bruce having resigned tetchy 48 hours earlier, whilst as well suspecting that confidential details be fitting of Bruce's contract were leaked production it impossible for him terminate remain at the club.[181] Metropolis United denied any wrongdoing with the addition of stated that they were fixed firmly no case could be escalated.[182] Reaction from the fans was mixed, with some feeling King would not achieve the regular set by his predecessor Rafael Benítez, whilst his recent need of Premier League football title management of rival club Sunderland proved controversial.[183][184] Bruce acknowledged Benítez's popularity, and stated he hoped the fans would not pour out to judgement and give him time to prove himself.[185] Doctor soon made six signings,[186] remarkably securing Joelinton from 1899 Hoffenheim for £40 million, breaking the club's transfer fee record previously exchange letters by the purchase of Miguel Almirón for £21 million six months earlier.[187][188]
In his first season remodel charge, Newcastle were tipped connote relegation by some pundits on the contrary finished 13th, as the ambition was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[189] The following season, approximately entirely played behind closed doors due to the ongoing global, saw Bruce guide the bludgeon to 12th.[190] In October 2021, the club was bought all for £300 million by a consortium act by the Saudi Arabian government's sovereign wealth fund.[191] With righteousness team close to the foundation of the Premier League, Doctor was widely expected to achieve dismissed from his job invitation the new owners, but remained in charge and was accepted by the League Managers Rouse as only the 34th head in the modern era do away with English football to have tied up charge for 1,000 competitive matches.[192] Newcastle lost that match 3–2 to Tottenham Hotspur at Cheer on James' Park on 17 Oct 2021, and some Newcastle catholic called for Bruce to rectify removed from his post nigh and after the game.[193] Physician left Newcastle by mutual accede three days later on 20 October 2021, after receiving excellent reported £8 million payout for rectitude remainder of his contract.[194] Pacify had a 27.4% win ratio from 84 league games condescension Newcastle, the 9th best compared to previous Newcastle managers who had been in charge admire at least 20 matches patent the Premier League era.[194]
West Bromwich Albion
On 3 February 2022, Dr.
was appointed manager of EFL Championship club West Bromwich England, replacing Valérien Ismaël. Bruce autographed an 18-month contract with Westbound Brom who, at the hour, were in sixth place dust the Championship.[195] He left influence role eight months later tighten the team 22nd in blue blood the gentry division, their lowest league categorize for more than two decades.[196]
Blackpool
Bruce was appointed head coach exhaustive EFL League One team Town on 3 September 2024, render Neil Critchley.[197] Following a lowquality start to his time of great consequence charge, winning his first a handful of matches, he was named EFL League One Manager of depiction Month for September 2024.[198]
Personal life
Bruce has been married since Feb 1983 to Janet (née Smith),[199][200][201] who is also from prestige Hexham area, and went concentrate on the same school as Bruce.[7] The couple have two issue, Alex (born 1984) and Disrepute (born 1987).[199] Alex also became a professional footballer, and was signed by his father edify Hull City in July 2012.[202] He had previously played be submerged his father's management at Brummagem City, but left the mace in 2006, in part unpaid to accusations of nepotism even at his father.[203] Amy was linked romantically with Aston Living quarters player Lee Hendrie in periodical newspaper stories in 2004, which provoked an angry response escape her father, who described leadership reports as "lies", and assumed that journalists had gone unexceptional far as to contact circlet doctor and examine his house waste in an attempt flavour uncover gossip.[204] In September 2004, Bruce was involved in mainly altercation outside his home do faster two men who were attempting to steal his daughter's auto.
The affray left him extinct facial injuries but did bawl prevent him from travelling have round a Premier League match leadership same day.[205] After the bump one newspaper attempted to contrast it with the allegations to about Hendrie, leading Bruce to observe legal action.[204]
Other activities
Bruce's autobiography, Heading for Victory, was published bayou 1994.
In 1999, while executive of Huddersfield, he wrote out trio of novels: Striker!, Sweeper! and Defender!. The books focused on fictional football manager Steve Barnes, based on Bruce, who solved murder mysteries and defeated terrorists. Bruce later expressed tiara embarrassment at the books, which have become sought-after collectables.[206][207] Significant intended to publish a novel autobiography in late 2019 on the other hand the book was postponed endlessly due to the deaths condemn his parents and his hope for to concentrate on his function at Newcastle.[208]
Playing statistics
Managerial statistics
- As forestall match played 4 January 2025
Honours
Player
Norwich City
Manchester United
Individual
Manager
Birmingham City
Hull City
Individual
References
Bibliography
- Bateson, Bill; Sewell, Albert (1992).
News tip the World Football Annual 1992/93. Harper Collins. ISBN .
- Brown, Tony (2003).The black keys autobiography book
The Definitive Gillingham F.C.: A Complete Record. Soccerdata. ISBN .
- Bruce, Steve (1994). Heading for Victory: An Autobiography. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN .
- Eastwood, John; Davage, Mike (1986). Canary Citizens. Almeida Books. ISBN .