Steve Bruce gives his first sit down interview on becoming new Blackpool head coach

Steve Bruce gives his first sit down interview on becoming new Blackpool head coach, with the appointment a surprise for fans.

He linked up with the League One club on a two-year deal, bringing in his long-term assistant Steve Agnew as Assistant Head Coach.

Richard Keogh and Stephen Dobbie meanwhile will be First-Team Coaches, with Steve Banks the Seasiders’ Goalkeeping Coach.

🗣️ “I’ve come here to try and take the Club and it’s supporters where they want to get back to. Hopefully, we can give them something to shout about.”

The first words from our new Head Coach, Steve Bruce.

🍊 #UTMP pic.twitter.com/Q1cxt4AhWg

— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) September 3, 2024

Interviewer: Steve, a warm welcome to Blackpool. How much are you looking forward to being back in management here at Bloomfield Road?

Steve: Well, I’ve been delighted to get the opportunity, I have to say, and I’m delighted to be back in football. It’s been a long time, It’s nearly a couple of years which has been forced upon by myself. It’s particularly. I thought it was time to take a break. Itching to go and let’s see what we can do.

Interviewer: As you say, you’ve been out of management for a couple of years. What made this move to Blackpool the right one at this stage?

Steve: Well, I first met the owner some week ago, if that was right, and I know David Downes from my time at Aston Villa. And after speaking to them and sharing their ambition of what they want to do and the project they put towards me then that challenge was too good to turn down. So I’m delighted to be here.

Interviewer: And having spoken to them, how much does that challenge infuse you? Looking forward as well?

Steve: Yeah, going forward. Look, I’ve missed. I’ve missed football quite simply. I’ve been in it all my life. I’ve enjoyed it Immensely and missed it over the last, well, twelve months in particular. So, ready to get started again?

Interviewer: You’ve obviously got over a thousand games in club management. What do you put that longevity in the game down to?

Steve: Just, I think me a sheer enjoyment of the game of football. And how lucky am I have I been to play nearly a thousand games as a footballer and then do nearly a thousand games as a manager is, if somebody had taught me that when I was 16-17 growing up, then I think I would have snatched our hands off.

Interviewer: I know you’ve watched a couple of games over the past week or so. How excited are you by what you’ve seen on the pitch?

Steve: Well, that’s more important what’s happening on the pitch. And I said, the couple of games I’ve watched, the win at Blackburn, the little bits of the for each draw, they could have quite easily won the whole three games. So a little bit of fine-tuning along the way and looking forward to getting back to work and getting back on the training ground and working with the players and hopefully helping them to improve.

Interviewer: Of course, you bring your assistant, Steve Agnew with you as well. What qualities can he bring?

Steve: Well, Steve is a very, very good coach who’s been with me a few times now. You know, Stephen Dobbie is going to join the backroom staff and so is Richard Keogh. So they are the young ones that I’m looking forward to. And Steve will be an unbelievable help on the training ground with them and hopefully they can learn a little bit from myself and Steve. So it sounds like a very, very good team, which is vitally important.

Interviewer: And you’ve touched on Richard Keogh and Stephen Dobbie joining the staff. How good is it and important is it to have those biggest people within the building?

Steve: I think with not just people in the building, but they’re young, enthusiastic in management. I’ve always wanted to give young ones a start and help. It’s the start of their careers, really, in the coaching end of it. They’ve been big players for this club and they’re both well respected and I’m sure they’ll be. They’ll do a grand job for us.

Interviewer: Of course, you’ve got ten days or so until your first league game against Exeter. How important will that be to drill your ideas into the squad.

Steve: Well, its going to be very important. I’ve seen on the thing that they’ve given them a weekend off, so I’m not going to disturb them, the other staff. So, yeah, look, to get up and started looking forward to it immensely.

Interviewer: And finally, what’s your message to the supporters who travel, obviously home and away? And I’ve got a reputation for being so loud.

Steve: Well, look, I’ve come here to try and take them where they want to get back to and I’ll appreciate their support. They’re a very, very loyal fan base. We’re blessed with that. So looking forward to them to get behind the team like they always have done and hopefully give them something to shout about, which every supporter wants and that’s got to be the aim.

Blackpool owner Simon Sadler said: “I’m confident that Steve’s experience and leadership qualities will be a tremendous asset for Blackpool Football Club.

“His organised approach coupled with his desire to build a hard working and entertaining side is a large part of what attracted us to him.

“Additionally, Steve’s ability to help grow and develop not only our playing staff but also our coaching talent was important to us.

“Alongside his assistant Steve Agnew, there is a great opportunity for two of our former-players at the early stages of their coaching careers to learn from a duo who possess unrivalled qualities. We hope that this blend will get the very best out of our talented squad.”

This is what the fans are thinking as Steve Bruce gives his first sit down interview on becoming new Blackpool head coach…

@agbnufc_: Another pay off package guaranteed, unreal.

@dan_masonn01: Forget what I said, I’m sold, we’re winning it all

@ToonMouthTyne:
Of all the Managers in the World who were available, your Owners chose him.
I’ll tell you why.
▪️ Cheap – probably the lowest wages of any Manager in the PL, Championship and League 1.
▪️ Doesn’t rock the boat – won’t ask for any players or complain when not backed.
That’s it.

@James18209464: When he joined WBA he said wanted to “get us of this league”. He was telling the truth, we just didn’t realise he meant via relegation.

@paulwallsend: Heaven help you

@GeordieCavalier: No club deserves Bruce – no idea why you would pass over so many energetic and creative young managers for him.

@TheFullKitC: This man has absolutely stolen a living in recent times. I cannot believe he is still being given employment in football.

@ToonArmyTalk: Get used to hearing him say ‘hopefully’

@mamcgarry: As long as he doesn’t talk about Agnew getting a tune out of Fletcher or mentioning the product he’ll do for me.

@markers19570: End in tears with Brucey pocketing a few million

@al_hodgetts: The only place he’ll be taking them is the kebab shop

@carlspark86: How does he keep getting jobs?

@RLNESS33: As Arteta once said Steve Bruce is one of the most important managers in English history. Blackpool are lucky to have this managerial icon Good luck you’re going to need it @mflem388

@consettphil :From tomorrow all he will be bothered about is trying to get sacked and a pay off….

@NufcNathan15: 🤣 Good luck Blackpool

@JamesWhitey20: Keep Keogh and Dobbie very close. Him mentioning the “project” gives me a lot of hope, clearly something has been said behind the signs. Can’t judge yet without seeing a minute of football. A little confused as we’re actually SHOOTING now. But let’s have IT A

@all_wednesday: Unfortunately he won’t be taking training this week as he is watching England v Sri Lanka at The Oval

@IanBrookes3: I have mixed feelings about this appointment but as always we have to give him our backing and hope he’s a big success for us. #UTMP

@Gregshep85: Weird interview, seems nervous. Answering the question well in advance of it finishing. Obviously rehearsed and not very well. Good club Blackpool, not sure they deserve what’s coming

@danpotter31: Come in peace Blackpool fans. I can only hope this fella delivers for you. Notorious up here for giving the players too much time off so he can sod off to Portugal on holiday. Best of luck 🤞

@Nickseasidr: Good news as far as I am concerned Welcome to Blackpool Steve

@twinpistols: Blackpool fans, the soon to be, newest members of the traumatised by Brucey club. See you in a few months.. Or earlier!

@HazB98_: Good interview to be fair 🍊

@GregJacks51: Nurture Keogh and Dobbie….