Joseph Masi believes Steve Bruce will be West Brom manager next season

Reliable journalist Joseph Masi believes Steve Bruce will stay on as West Brom manager next season despite a dismal half-season in charge this year.

The former Newcastle boss took over from Valerien Ismael in February tasked with getting the club’s promotion charge back on track, but it took him six games to earn his first win.

With a break clause reportedly present in his contract which would allow him to leave this summer, speculation has been rife about his future but Masi told the Baggies Broadcast podcast that he expects the manager to remain in place.

“I truly believe that Steve Bruce wants to be Albion manager next season, and I truly believe Ron Gourlay wants Steve Bruce to be Albion manager next season,” he said.

“So I believe Bruce will be Albion manager next season.

“I genuinely think he’s enjoying it, I genuinely think he feels comfortable at the club.And when I say comfortable I don’t mean in the way we accuse players of being overly comfortable.

“I think he feels like he’s, I think he feels respected for want of a better word. I think he likes the way Albion do things, I think he feels like it’s quite professional.

“I think he’s got a good relationship with Ron Gourlay and I think he’s had a good relationship with Albion’s fans since he’s come in.”

West Brom

Good news

It took a little while for Bruce to hit his stride, but he’s certainly steadied the ship and shown good progress with the team since coming in.

They’re far more fun to watch on the pitch, seem more stable off it, has corrected the dressing room morale and they’re currently unbeaten in four games after he found his ideal team.

His record at earning promotion is very good and with a summer transfer window to build up his squad and hopefully get in the players he wants to build his team, he seems like a great shout to have in the dugout for another promotion push.

If he was to leave, it would be just another job for the board to try and sort out before even looking at bringing in players or sorting out the squad so it’s good to have continuity.

It’s always good to hear that he wants to stay too, making it a mutual relationship.

In other West Brom news, Bruce to shuffle defence for derby – West Brom predicted XI v Birmingham

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