West Brom plans to appoint Bruce as manager doubted by Simon Cox
West Brom sacking Valerien Ismael has led to all kinds of names being linked to the job but one has quickly come to the forefront of the debate.
Most recently Newcastle United manager, until October, Steve Bruce is the name that many believe will take the job on at The Hawthorns and he could be set to sign an 18-month deal imminently [John Percy, Telegraph].
The news has seen mixed responses but former Baggies striker Simon Cox is not sure Bruce is the right man for the job despite his four previous promotions from the Championship.
“They want to get out of the Championship, but I think they’ll look a little bit longer term possibly if they can,” Cox said, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail.
“I’m not sure Steve Bruce is the kind of manager the West Brom fans will be looking for.
“It will take time, but the only way they’ll buy into it is if he gets the job done. West Bromwich Albion are a team and a club that need to be playing at least at the top of the Championship but definitely in the Premier League.
“So if he can make that happen then they’ll take to him but if he doesn’t he is in for a tough ride.”
Cannot be more than 18 months
Whether you think Bruce is the right man for the job or not, he cannot be the long term future of the club.
He is already 61 years of age and his previous spells at Birmingham City and Aston Villa won’t make him a fans favourite at The Hawthorns.
If the 18-month deal Percy has reported turns out to be true, Baggies fans need to hope and pray that it is no longer as they need to be building towards being a regular Premier League side, rather than a yo-yo club between the top two divisions.
Bruce can be a useful choice to help lay the foundations for that next level and he will no doubt be planning for only being at the club for a short period of time.
The board have to keep searching for someone who could take over from Bruce when he steps back or is fired to keep them from finding themselves back at square one in the near future.
In other West Brom news, this Midlands club manager has also been touted with a potential move to West Bromwich.