League One Blackpool appoint Bruce as head coach

League One broadside Blackpool person appointed Steve Bruce arsenic their caput manager connected a two-year deal.

The 63-year-old had been retired of enactment since being sacked by West Bromwich Albion successful October 2022 pursuing a nine-month spell successful charge.

Bruce has managed much than 1,000 competitory matches for clubs including Birmingham City, Hull City, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

He takes implicit aft the Tangerines sacked Neil Critchley connected 21 August having started their run with back-to-back defeats.

Bruce's semipermanent adjunct Steve Agnew volition articulation him astatine Bloomfield Road, on with coaches Richard Keogh, Stephen Dobbie and Steve Banks.

"I'm delighted to beryllium backmost successful shot and to instrumentality complaint of this fantastic shot club," Bruce told the nine website.

"I'd similar to convey Simon, Julian and David for giving maine this large opportunity. I look guardant to gathering each of the unit and players successful the coming days arsenic we hole for what we each anticipation volition beryllium an breathtaking play astatine Bloomfield Road."

The relation is Bruce's 13th occupation successful absorption since retiring arsenic a subordinate successful 1999, and the 12th nine helium has managed aft 2 spells astatine Wigan.

His assignment was announced moments aft Blackpool bushed Crewe 4-1 successful the EFL Trophy.

"I'm assured that Steve's acquisition and enactment qualities volition beryllium a tremendous plus for Blackpool," proprietor Simon Sadler added.

"His organised attack coupled with his tendency to physique a hardworking and entertaining broadside is simply a ample portion of what attracted america to him.

“Additionally, Steve's quality to assistance turn and make not lone our playing unit but besides our coaching endowment was important to us.

"Alongside his adjunct Steve Agnew, determination is simply a large accidental for 2 of our erstwhile players astatine the aboriginal stages of their coaching careers to larn from a duo who person unrivalled qualities.

"We anticipation that this blend volition get the precise champion retired of our talented squad."

Bruce volition person to hold until 14 September to instrumentality complaint of his caller broadside for the archetypal time, erstwhile they look Exeter astatine home.