Former Birmingham City and Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that his time in club management is likely over, following his dismissal from Blackpool earlier this season. The 65-year-old, who enjoyed a glittering playing career with Manchester United before moving into management, has not worked since leaving Bloomfield Road in October last year, with the Tangerines sitting second bottom of League One after a home defeat by AFC Wimbledon.
End of an Era in Club Football
Speaking on Betfair and The Overlap's Stick to Cricket podcast, Bruce admitted: "I can never say never, but I honestly believe that I've had my time in management now. I thoroughly enjoyed it and still love it to this day, but I think there comes a time when you have to call it." However, he left the door slightly ajar for an international role, revealing: "You never say never; maybe something like an international job. I had a conversation with Ireland a few years ago, and would you believe, before Steve McClaren, I had a chat with the Jamaican FA. They went for Steve McClaren in the end."
A Career of Highs and Lows
Bruce will be best remembered for ending Birmingham City's 16-year absence from the top flight in 2002 and securing their return in 2007. He also led Hull City to two promotions and an FA Cup final. His stint at Aston Villa was less successful, as he failed to guide them out of the Championship. Overall, he managed clubs including Birmingham City, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United, and Blackpool.
The Best Player He Managed
Bruce named French World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry as the best player he ever managed. Dugarry joined Birmingham City during their first season back in the Premier League and was instrumental in keeping them up. Bruce recalled: "He was a maverick, and he came to play for Birmingham when I was manager. I showed him a game where we played Aston Villa on a Monday night, we had just got into the Premier League, and it was all about staying up."
Bruce described the unusual recruitment process: "I picked him up from Birmingham Airport and took him back to a rented house I had in Birmingham at the time. We were just having a conversation, and I said, 'Christophe, we're up against it.' His best mate was Zidane, by the way. I'm sitting there thinking he's never going to sign for us. I got him a cup of tea, and my missus was out, so I'm looking for biscuits to give him, and I ended up with Rich Tea. I put them on a plate for him. Anyway, after about an hour of talking, he said, 'I'll sign tomorrow, but the biscuits are absolutely *****.' He was right as well!"
Bruce added: "Christophe Dugarry, for six months, was unbelievable for me and kept us in the division. I had Geoff Horsfield alongside him, a bricklayer from Barnsley!"
