Steve Bruce declares – I’ve got no ego left in me | OneFootball

On Tuesday, after some 23 months unemployed, we heard the shock news that yet another club had given Steve Bruce a job.

Blackpool fans the latest ones to hear the depressing news.

Steve Bruce has now been talking (read below) ahead of his first game in charge on Saturday, Blackpool at home to Exeter.

Newcastle United fans and others will find some of his quotes of particular interest, not just his claim of having no ego left in him.

Steve Bruce making out that these past two years our of management have been his own choice, is amusing, as opposed to a shortage of job offers…

He reckons he has really missed spending time on the training ground, which will be news to the likes of Danny Rose and others, who couldn’t believe how many days off they were given under Steve Bruce at NUFC.

Whilst it will be zero surprise that yet again Steve Bruce has a previous connection with certain senior figures at his new club.

Steve Bruce press conference as quoted by The Gazette – 9 September 2024:

“I realised that retirement wasn’t for me.

“I needed to take a break, and I forced myself to take a break, which was quite easy, but the longer it’s gone on, I’ve missed that buzz of getting up and getting on the training ground.

“I never thought I’d step back for good, but I did think about doing something in a different capacity. When this opportunity came about, I thought ‘why not.’

“I know David Downes (Sporting Director) from my time at Aston Villa, and I know Dean Hughes from Hull, Villa and Sheffield Wednesday, so when I met the owner and listened to his ideas, for me it was ‘why not.’

“It was a no-brainer for me. I wasn’t put off by the fact it was division one, I’m back in football. I’ve got no ego left in me, I’ll thoroughly enjoy it.

“We’ve got a squad that is capable, and has decent enough depth, so we hope we can be there and thereabouts. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t ambitious, I’ve always been led by the will to win. If I’d lost that then I wouldn’t have come back to work.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday already, and it’s only Monday, that’s why you’re in it. I had a little tingle today before I addressed the players, because it’s been 20-odd months since I did a team talk. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of nerves.

“I’ve had a few conversations… I had a conversation with the Jamaican FA, which didn’t go very far, and unfortunately it got out in the press.