The West Midlands has plenty to offer; Brindleyplace, Broad Street, the Belfry, plenty of shops and restaurants and so much more. So much in fact that it has pulled back a familiar football manager to the area.
Steve Bruce has penned an 18-month contract with Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion following Valerien Ismael’s dismissal and it becomes his third club in the heart of England to manage, after Birmingham City and more recently Aston Villa.
Bruce’s most recent job in the game had been with Newcastle United in the Premier League and he was quickly relieved from his duties following their exciting new takeover. Like the end to his reign at Villa, things turned sour as the supporters hounded the North East-born boss out of St James’ Park, even though he was playing with the cards he had dealt by previous owner Mike Ashley.
Bruce’s love of the game is clear to see and after just a few months out he is ready for his next challenge in the dugout at The Hawthorns. He will be charged with an instant assault toward the Premier League as the Baggies currently lie 6th in the play-off places but only goal difference is keeping them there.
Supporters were alienated by his predecessor’s tactics and with just cause. Albion have some rather talented players within their ranks, particularly in attacking areas and the football that has been on show this season has been rather unpleasant to watch. Once The Hawthorns faithful voiced their lack of confidence in Ismael, there was no turning back.
The appointment of the successor had to be spot on by the hierarchy and while some may have been underwhelmed when Bruce emerged as the favourite, his record in the division is second to none.
The 61-year-old has tasted promotion from the second tier on four occasions - twice each with Birmingham and Hull City and he will be eager to claim his fifth. The experienced Bruce will want to get off to a strong start, but he faces a challenge in the fact that the Baggies have won just one of their last eight matches.
However, this is the Championship, this is his arena and if anyone can galvanise that dressing room and correct Albion’s course for a promotion charge it is him. Things may have ended sourly during his last adventure in the Midlands but the former defender did a stellar job at Villa Park for most of his tenure.
He came into the club when it was fractured and wins were very hard to come by. He slowly rebuilt the squad and guided them from mid-table in their first Championship season to the play-off final in the second. He may have run out of steam in his final months, but he laid the groundwork for Dean Smith to get the club back to the Premier League, and many Villa supporters seem to forget that.
Despite the circumstances at Newcastle, where there wasn’t significant backing when it was needed (although he did purchase Joelinton for £40million), in his first two seasons with the Magpies, Bruce still guided them to 13th and 12th respectively, which was more than commendable.
This further proves he has more to offer and while some view his new job at the Albion as some sort of redemption, it gives him the chance to fall back in love with the game after the abuse at Newcastle took a toll on him and his family.
It will also give him the platform to improve his already glowing record in the Championship if he can reunify the fans and the players, which could lead to dramatic upturn in results. Under Bruce, promotion is definitely back on the table for the Baggies.
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