(Credit: Getty Images)

West Brom announce Steve Bruce reunion ahead of 2025/26 Championship season

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

05 Jun 2025, 10:47 am

Steve Bruce did not have a successful time during his stint at The Hawthorns.

The former Newcastle United and Aston Villa manager had built a reputation in the Championship for getting clubs promoted into the Premier League.

However, at West Brom, Bruce never got close to achieving this goal.

After less than a year in charge, the Englishman was sacked with the Baggies in the relegation zone.

Now, The Hawthorns faithful are set to reunite with their former manager ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Bruce left West Brom with the Baggies in the relegation zone

West Brom to face Blackpool in pre-season friendly

Ahead of their upcoming Championship season, West Brom have announced a series of friendlies.

This will be the first chance Baggies fans will have of seeing Ryan Mason in the dugout, as well as any potential signings the West Midlands club makes between now and then.

West Brom (5 June) announced that their first pre-season friendly will be against Bruce’s Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

West Brom's pre-season schedule so far	Date
Blackpool v West Brom	Saturday, July 19 (ko 3pm)
Lincoln City v West Brom	Saturday, July 26 (ko 3pm)

West Brom are making preparations for their 2025/26 campaign

The League One outfit finished ninth this season under the former Baggies manager.

Following this, Mason will be on his travels again as he takes on Lincoln City at the LNER Stadium.

The Imps also had a successful season in their third tier and finished 11^th in the table.

West Brom fans will have a chance to see Ryan Mason in the dugout for the first time in pre-season (Credit: Hasan Karim/ Imago)

Competitive start for Ryan Mason at the Baggies

So far, the friendlies announced by West Brom are smart. Both Blackpool and Lincoln will give the Baggies a test but are unlikely to capitulate.

This is exactly what Mason needs to assess this squad, with both games likely to be competitive.

Hopefully, West Brom can now organise a match against a significant opponent who will provide a challenge for the Baggies.

The 2025/26 campaign will be tough to get into the play-offs with the quality coming into the division.

Yet, if West Brom can have a good pre-season, a top-six finish is possible.

Steve Bruce

Ryan Mason