Former Newcastle United manager brutally sacked - retirement a possibility
Blackpool sacked former Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce after a 2-0 home defeat to AFC Wimbledon.
Blackpool have confirmed former Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has been sacked with immediate effect.
The decision comes after the Seasiders were beaten 2-0 on home soil to AFC Wimbledon. Blackpool - who appointed Bruce in September 2024 - sit second bottom of League One.
Now aged 64, there are suggestions he could now finally call it a day in management. Bruce publicly declared Newcastle would be his final job following his dismissal in October 2021.
However, he soon returned to the dugout with West Bromwich Albion, where he lasted just eight months. Blackpool took a punt on Bruce last season and showed initial promise before a dismal start to the new campaign.
Blackpool release statement
A brief statement confirmed Bruce’s exit alongside familiar faces Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence. The announcement read: “Blackpool Football Club can announce the departure of head coach Steve Bruce, assistant head coach Steve Agnew and first-team Coach Stephen Clemence.
“The club would like to thank them for their efforts and wish them the very best for the future. Stephen Dobbie and Steve Banks will take charge of first-team matters until a permanent appointment is confirmed.”
Steve Bruce accepts responsibility
Speaking after the Wimbledon defeat, Bruce accepted full responsibility for the poor form. He said: “"I can try and make as many excuses as I want but it's not in my nature to do it. Today we were nowhere near what's required of what we need to be and for that I need to take responsibility."
Steve Bruce on leaving Newcastle United
Shortly after leaving Newcastle, Bruce revealed he recommended being sacked to the Saudi-backed ownership. He said: "I had to say to them, ‘Look, you might have to take me out of the equation'. It's the hardest thing I ever had to say. But I realise it was the best for the club because everything was euphoric around it, the only negative was me.
“They even asked me, and I can say this on record, who I would recommend. I did recommend Eddie (Howe) and I hope Steven doesn't mind, but I recommended Steven Gerrard, too. But somebody like Eddie or Steven, young, take it on.
"It was really, really difficult. And I've never done that before - it's sort of giving up - but I realised it was best for the club. I never wanted to give it up, but I realised that I had to and it was more beneficial to the club, that they needed to make a clean sweep and take the negativity out of the equation which was me."