Steve Bruce eyeing remarkable Birmingham City return

Football Insider reports that Steve Bruce is expressing interest in making a surprise comeback to management with Birmingham City.

Bruce looks prepared to return to management in the Midlands after leaving West Brom in October 2022. He hasn’t graced the dugout since.

This is in response to reports that interim manager Gary Rowett won’t receive an extension offer from St. Andrew’s past this summer.

In addition, Tony Mowbray, the Blues’ current manager, has yet to return to his position after resigning earlier this season due to health issues, raising doubts about his future with the team.

Consequently, these incidents have raised the question of who will be Birmingham City’s manager for the 2024–2025 season. Bruce, who is well-versed in the club, seems to have volunteered his services now.

Bruce wants Birmingham return

Under new and ambitious US ownership, Blues will start the upcoming season playing football in League One, a league they have little intention of familiarizing themselves with.

For City, who are searching for a tried-and-true recipe to secure an immediate return to the Championship, an experienced player might be the ideal choice.

Bruce meets the bill, having demonstrated his ability to advance with Birmingham in the past, and has expressed to the Blues board his desire to return to his position in the St. Andrews technical area nearly twenty years after leaving it.

The 63-year-old managed Blues from 2001 to 2007, whilst also donning the royal blue colours between the years of 1996 to 1998.

He would leave his role as Birmingham manager in 2007, in what was a then-world record £3m compensation fee paid by Wigan Athletic.

How Steve Bruce has fared since leaving Blues

Bruce’s career has been rather up and down, with him having varying degrees of success at different English football clubs.

After leaving Birmingham, he went on to finish in the middle of the table in the Premier League with Wigan Athletic and Sunderland, respectively.

But, because to his two promotions with Hull City, Bruce can now add more Championship promotions to his resume.

Bruce, though, hasn’t had as much success in recent years. In 2022, he was fired from Newcastle, the team he grew up playing for, and the following year, he was fired from West Brom as well, with his team finishing third from the bottom of the Championship.

Would it be a smart move for Blues?

This summer will undoubtedly bring about a great deal of change and transition for Birmingham, and during these times, a football team usually needs an experienced manager with the know-how to keep things in check.

Saying that Blues ownership did not intend or anticipate Championship relegation in their first season in control would be a glaring understatement, and a protracted stay in League One is definitely not in the cards.

Bruce, who has an impressive playing career and a track record of EFL promotions, is a respected character, therefore he might be Birmingham’s best bet to seize the lead the following season.

He will undoubtedly have a large network of contacts to draw upon for new hires, in addition to his gravity and respect from the English football community.

This might be a huge coup for Birmingham, and if they immediately return to the second division, there shouldn’t be any doubts about Bruce’s ability to push the team forward.

GET MORE NEWS HERE