Steve Bruce reveals talks over two international jobs

Former Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce looks to be done with the game following his latest sacking.

Bruce was let go from his role as Blackpool boss back in October after overseeing seven defeats in their first 11 games of the season.

When Bruce was announced as Blackpool boss in September 2024, many Newcastle fans thought that ex-Toon gaffer had found his level after being named the manager of a League One side.

Just a year later, Bruce was let go after that disastrous start to the new season, proving what the majority of Newcastle fans had been saying for years - he's not a good manager. 

Bruce's friends in the media would always leap to his defence and remind everyone that he's a nice guy and a family man. That may be the case, but it doesn't make you a good football manager, and that was evident by the difference Eddie Howe made after just a few weeks in the role after succeeding Bruce at Newcastle.

Steve Bruce hints at retirement 

Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Steve Bruce has finally admitted that the game has moved beyond him, although he did weirdly leave himself open for international job offers, revealing talks with Ireland and Jamaica. 

“I can never say never, but I honestly believe that I've had my time in management now.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it and still love it to this day, but I think there comes a time when you have to call it. You never say never; maybe something like an international job.

“I had a conversation with Ireland a few years ago, and would you believe, before Steve McClaren, I had a chat with the Jamaican FA. They went for Steve McClaren in the end.”

I still haven't let it go

Yoane Wissa's DR Congo ended McClaren's Jamaican World Cup dream, beating them 1-0 in the play-offs. No doubt Bruce would have done better. In his head, anyway.

I know it's been almost five years since Newcastle parted ways with Steve Bruce and the bitterness should have faded by now, but every time he pops up I can't help but get transported back to those days of a squad who had no idea what they were doing, could barely run from one end of the pitch to the other and a boss who spent more time in Portugal and Benton.

No doubt we'll still keep seeing Bruce appearing on the radio and on our TVs if he's walking away from management. His media mates still seem to care what he has to say, so he'll keep getting called to speak about the modern game.