Ron Gourlay and Guochuan Lai to make decision on Steve Bruce future this summer – report
There is uncertainty at West Brom surrounding the future of Steve Bruce and whether he will be the manager of the club next season, according to The Athletic.
Bruce signed an 18-month contract in February to take over from Valerien Ismael with the aim to get the club back in the Premier League at the first attempt.
However after just two wins in his first nine games as manager, the playoffs now seem a distant memory and Steve Madeley is reporting that the club will hold conversations with him about his future.
If Bruce is willing to stay on for a full season then club chiefs Ron Gourlay and Guochuan Lai must weigh up whether he is the right man for the job, considering his relatively disappointing run as boss so far.
It’s believed that Bruce would need to improve his winning percentage between now and the end of the season to secure himself the job, while the fans’ views could have a say too.
Big decision
It may seem like a snap call, but it seems sensible for West Brom to look again at their managerial situation ahead of a new season and a fresh start.
Promotion this season was the aim and while Ismael is largely held responsible for the failure to deliver that, Bruce’s run as manager has been far from successful so far.
So it’s only right that the club analyse the situation and whether Bruce is the right man to take the club forward into a second season where they will push for promotion, especially with it being their final season receiving parachute payments.
If Bruce is willing and the board have confidence then they must back him fully. He has four previous promotions on his CV and has also shown an ability to keep teams there as he did with Newcastle.
Given time he could be the right man, but there is a conversation to have without a doubt and it’s good to see the club aren’t just taking it as a given.
In other West Brom news, View: West Brom must plan for life without star man regardless of miracle promotion