Steve Bruce set to be West Bromwich Albion manager next year after what happened this week
Steve Bruce is set to remain West Brom manager for next season as he has enough backing from the club and fans, according to The Athletic‘s Steve Madeley.
The Baggies completed a solid 2-0 win over second-placed Bournemouth at the Hawthorns last night (6 April), during which the home crowd showed their appreciation for the manager despite uneven results since his arrival.
Madeley had previously suggested there was a break clause of some sort in the former Newcastle boss’ 18-month deal, but now believes he has secured his future at the club, barring a collapse before the end of the season.
Madeley wrote in The Athletic following the Cherries win: “A chorus of “Brucey, Brucey give us a wave” was followed by a spirited rendition of “Steve Bruce’s Barmy Army.” It was not a definitive vote of confidence in the West Bromwich Albion manager, but it was telling nonetheless.
“West Brom’s hierarchy have no real appetite for yet another change of manager this summer having employed four different bosses over the course of the last two seasons.
“So the Hawthorns manager’s job for next season is Bruce’s to lose, not just contractually, but emotionally too.”
Continuity
It makes sense to continue with the 61-year-old on current evidence, because the upheaval of repeated change over the past two years has accompanied a downward trajectory.
Mistakes have been made along the route from Slaven Bilic, to Sam Allardyce, to Valerien Ismael, and now to Bruce.
But with Ron Gourlay now in place and Bruce showing a belated ability to get results out of this squad, to start again in the summer would be a risk.
There looks to be enough to this team to suggest that a pre-season under the ex-Manchester United captain, and a return to fitness from absentees, could turn into a challenge for promotion next year.
There is also significant room for improvement, as the over-frequent performances that fans have struggled to watch show.
Once the fans had turned on his predecessor there was no coming back, but correspondingly there is more support from the stands than might have been expected.
Bruce was not a universally popular appointment, and results like the dismal derby loss at Birmingham won’t help, but he at least looks to be established and making improvements.
In other West Brom news, the manager is already making plans to deal with the shortened summer break and get injured players fit.
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