Steve Bruce[Coach]

[Freddy Adu]

Steve Bruce
Personal information
Full name	Stephen Roger Bruce
Date of birth	December 31, 1960 (1960-12-31) (age 46)
Place of birth	Corbridge, Northumberland, England
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Birmingham City
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1977-1984 1984-1987 1987-1996 1996-1998 1998-1999	Gillingham Norwich City Manchester United Birmingham City Sheffield United	205 (29) 141 (14) 306 (36) 072 0(2) 010 0(0)
Teams managed
1998-1999 1999-2000 2001 2001 2001-	Sheffield United Huddersfield Town Wigan Athletic Crystal Palace Birmingham City

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham boss Bruce: Eriksson says we're the best Man City have faced

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce has revealed Sven Goran Eriksson rates his team the best Manchester City have faced this season.

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After their 1-0 defeat yesterday, Bruce said: "We gave Elano one bit of space - and he scores. But we did not deserve to get beaten.

"The longer the game went on, the more comfortable we got - and Sven said we were the best team they had met.

"It is all very well getting plaudits, but we need a few points on the board to match the performances we are putting in.

"The team could have had a lot more points on the board, and I am happy with what I have seen from my squad so far."

[Freddy Adu]

Bruce anxious over Birmingham future

After defeat against Manchester City, Birmingham manager Steve Bruce remains anxious for his own future to be resolved, with Carson Yeung expected to buy the club before new year.

"I will be at work on Monday morning and at the training ground the next five to six days," confirmed the former Manchester United defender.

"It [my situation] needs to be sorted, but I will do my best to make sure the players are not affected by all the speculation."

[Freddy Adu]

Black warns Birmingham over Bruce contract

Birmingham number two Eric Black has warned other clubs will target unsettled manager Steve Bruce unless his long-term future is sorted out.

Black said: "Everyone is feeling slightly unsure about what is happening. I can understand how Steve is feeling and I can understand he might be slightly disappointed and unsure about what the future holds.

"I don't think it's great going long-term in that situation. You need stability in a club, need to know what is available to spend, what direction the club is going to take.

"All those things are fundamental to the success or failure of a football club so obviously the sooner everything is resolved, the better.

"Steve is a strong character and will continue to do the things that are right for the club regardless of what is happening.

"He has said he wants to see it through here and that speaks volumes for the man you are dealing with.

"But there are a lot of clubs out there that would look at Steve's track manager and would want him as manager. There are few managers that have the track record and experience at the highest level that Steve has."

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham boss encouraged by Rafael performance

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce was encouraged by the performance of summer signing Rafael Schmitz in their defeat against Manchester City.

Bruce said: "I saw him play for Lille against Manchester United and he was rock solid. He showed what a really good central defender he is."

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham boss Bruce tells Yeung: Let's talk

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce says he's ready to talk to prospective club owner Carson Yeung about the future at St Andrews.

He said: "I'm available to talk if they want to talk."

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham boss Bruce open to Bolton offer

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce is interested in the vacant manager's job at Bolton Wanderers, it has been revealed.

The Guardian says sources close to Bruce indicate that the Birmingham City manager - who is concerned about the potential implications of the Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung's pending takeover - could be interested in the Bolton job.

However, Birmingham would be unlikely to countenance the idea of him moving to the Reebok Stadium.

[Freddy Adu]

Yeung not interested in talking with Birmingham's Bruce

Prospective Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung has no plans to speak with manager Steve Bruce.

The Mirror says Bruce's fears deepened last night after it emerged Birmingham's prospective owner Carson Yeung has no plans to schedule talks with him and doesn't feel obliged to honour his new contract offer.

Brum boss Bruce, 46, verbally agreed a bumper £30,000-a-week rolling contract with the Premier League club's existing hierarchy in May following promotion.

But the deal has been withdrawn under takeover rules after Hong Kong tycoon Yeung, 47, bought 29.9 per cent of Birmingham in July as part of a planned £50million buy-out.

Far East sources say Yeung sees no point initiating discussions with Bruce until he officially completes his take-over nearer Christmas.

And worryingly for Bruce, Yeung's entourage insist they are under no moral obligation to honour the terms offered to him at the end of last season as the new contract was not mentioned in negotiations to buy the club.

Yeung and his advisors are due back in the UK on Saturday morning to attend Birmingham's game with Wigan at St Andrews.

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham boss Bruce reveals Yeung meeting

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is to hold talks with the club's prospective new owner Carson Yeung after Saturday's home Barclays Premier League match with Wigan.

Bruce has been seeking a face-to-face meeting with the Hong Kong businessman since he decided not to rubberstamp the manager's new contract which had been agreed with the current board of directors.

Yeung pulled out of the chance to speak with Bruce last weekend because of business commitments but is now ready to meet with the City boss who has 20 months remaining of his current contract.

Bruce said: "I am meeting Mr Yeung and his people after the game on Saturday and we will see what develops but enough has been said publicly. I don't want to talk about it at every press conference and let's just see how things go."

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham boss Bruce eager to help Palacios

Steve Bruce has pledged to do all he can to help Wilson Palacios after his teenage brother was kidnapped.

Birmingham confirmed earlier this week that Palacios would stay with the club following the abduction of 15-year-old Edwin Rene.

Bruce, who has yet to decide whether to include Palacios against Everton on Saturday, admits he has been stunned by the events.

"I will assess him over the next 24 hours," said the Blues boss.

"For him to be dealing with this kidnapping business at the moment is quite harrowing. We all hope that it can be resolved as quickly as possible.

"We will support him as best we can and make sure he gets all the help the club can give him because he obviously he needs it."

Bruce revealed the club were being kept informed of the latest developments.

He explained: "We have spoken to the Honduras Embassy in London to be kept up to date.

"There has been a ransom demand on the boy. It is in the hands of the authorities and police."

[Freddy Adu]

Bruce: Larsson has big role at Birmingham

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce says Swede Sebastian Larsson has a big role to play this season.

"He was unfortunate to be out of the side because he was sick at Manchester City," said Bruce. "Daniel de Ridder came on in that match and how could I leave him out (against Wigan) after the performance he gave?

"But he showed a great attitude, Seb. Even after the game he walked straight up to de Ridder and congratulated him, and this is the player who has taken his position.

"It just shows you what a good spirit there is. They realise it's a squad game and sometimes you are not going to get a look-in and that you have to be patient.

"And, ultimately, it is the squad that will seal our fate."

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham boss Bruce unlikely to land Arsenal's Bendtner

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce doesn't believe he'll manage to re-sign Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner in January.

Bruce admits Bendtner would be on his wish list after the Danish international impressed in helping City gain promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship last season.

But he believes it is highly unlikely Arsene Wenger would agree to releasing Bendtner when the transfer window opens in January.

Bruce said: "If you look at us compared to last season then, for me, in a crucial area of the pitch up front, we are not as good as we were last year in the Championship because we are without Nicklas Bendtner.

"Strengthening in that area remains a priority and I've got to try and identify some people, that's for sure.

"But I don't think there is any chance of us getting Bendtner back on loan. I really don't think there is any chance of that happening.

"I know it is being bandied about in the media. I don't think there is any chance of that at all.

"I don't think they would let him out for a start and there has been no conversation with Mr Wenger. It would be on my wish list but it is not going to happen."

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham boss Bruce admits even Villa friendly "spicy"

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce has revealed how even a closed-doors friendly against Aston Villa can spill over.

The recent practice match was meant as a fitness exercise, but Birmingham manager Bruce revealed it was "kicking off everywhere".

Villa boss Martin O'Neill described it as "feisty".

It also got both men wondering what the real thing would be like at St Andrew's.

Bruce said: "I know they're our fiercest rivals but Martin needed a few players fit, I needed a few fit, so we organised a game between ourselves - and it was a bit spicy, to say the least.

"It was incredible. I don't know who the referee was but he played his part - he let everything go. It was just what both of us wanted. It was a proper, no holds- barred game. Expect the same again on Sunday.

"Martin and I just stood there enjoying it. We got far more out of it than you could get out on the training pitch. You don't normally get that kind of game, but I've got the hugest respect for Martin - he's a football person."

O'Neill was just as enthusiastic about the game, which Villa won 4-3 at their Bodymoor Heath training ground, although Birmingham's fit-again Mikael Forssell gave a warning of the threat he poses with a hat-trick.

"It was lively stuff, quite strong really, and I don't think either of us expected it to get as feisty as it did," explained O'Neill.

"What it confirmed to me was this is not an ordinary game on Sunday. They're meaty affairs with plenty of atmosphere. It's a big derby, my first, but not the players' first. I just hope we keep a clear head and show some discipline.

"I don't want to end up as we did against Manchester United with nine players."

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham boss Bruce delighted with ex-Villa defender Ridgewell

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce is delighted with the way former Aston Villa defender Liam Ridgewell has bedded in as captain this season.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill could not guarantee Ridgewell a game so he left in a £2million deal and Bruce believes the centre back has benefited.

"He's still got to improve but Martin has made a decision, which you have to accept, and he's brought in Zat Knight and Curtis Davies," said Bruce.

"It was his call. Martin's obviously looking to get a team into that European place, that's his remit. It's all about opinions. I think I got a terrific bargain in Liam. He had no qualms about coming across the city.

"When you look at his statistics, he's a boy of 23, he's played nearly 100 times for Villa. For us it was a no-brainer."

O'Neill admits he is not surprised to see Ridgewell captaining Birmingham, despite letting him go.

"He's doing fine, they're pleased with him. He wanted to go and that happens," he said.

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham won't release Danns

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce won't consider allowing Neil Danns to leave on-loan.

The Birmingham Mail says Danns, who has been linked with a loan move to Leicester City, will not be allowed out.

[Freddy Adu]

Wolves, Watford eyeing Birmingham's Sadler

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce must consider his plans for left-back Mat Sadler this season.

Wolves, Watford and Norwich City have all inquired about taking Sadler on loan.

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham's Palacios wants derby appearance

Birmingham City midfielder Wilson Palacios, whose brother, Edwin Rene, has been kidnapped in Honduras, says that he wants to play against Aston Villa before he returns home.

"He comes into the equation, that's for sure," Steve Bruce, the manager, said.

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham boss Bruce admits Yeung transfer cash frustration

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce admits he has no idea how much money he has to spend in January as the club waits for Carson Yeung to complete his takeover.

He said: "It is frustrating because we are all left in limbo. I am a little bit hamstrung but there is nothing I can do.

"I've got to try and do my job from day to day and see what develops.

"David Sullivan (current co-owner) has set a takeover deadline of December 23. I don't think he will move from that. In fact, I know he won't move."

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham boss Bruce angry after penalty shouts ignored

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce is convinced ref Steve Bennett ignored two clear penalty claims for his side after their 2-1 derby defeat to Aston Villa.

Bennett had incurred the wrath of Villa boss Martin O'Neill earlier in the season when he sent him from the dug-out during the home clash with Fulham.

Now he angered the other side of the Second City with Bruce convinced spot-kicks should have been awarded against Zat Knight - for handball - and Martin Laursen, for bringing down Daniel De Ridder who was booked for allegedly diving.

In the end an 87th-minute header from Gabriel Agbonlahor settled the game in Villa's favour after Blues substitute Mikael Forssell had cancelled out an own goal from former Villa defender Liam Ridgewell.

Bruce said: "What is the point of speaking to the referee?

"I was adamant at the time the first one is handball by Zat Knight. We've all seen it except Mr Bennett.

"For the second one he has got to be convinced De Ridder is diving.

"De Ridder has said at half-time that he was caught by Laursen. I've seen it again and he has been caught. It is a blatant penalty.

"As usual with Mr Bennett, especially with us anyway, we never seem to get those decisions and he has made two howlers. Big decisions in a derby like that are crucial.

"If we get two penalties, we are in the driving seat.

"For me they are two blatant penalties but whether Mr Keith Hackett (referees' supremo) does anything about it, I am not so sure.

"If Mr Bennett has genuinely got them wrong, so be it. But refs are professionals and you expect them to get big decisions right like that.

"He got them wrong and it has cost us. I hope he comes out and says that."

Blues recovered from Ridgewell's own goal and it needed a goal-line clearance from Agbonlahor to prevent the Blues skipper making amends before he scored the winning goal at the other end of the pitch.

Bruce said: "We had to recover from the own goal and Villa were then in the ascendancy.

"We didn't stop the cross as well as we should have and Liam did not anticipate it as well as he should have - and it ended up in the back of the net.

"That rocked us for 20-25 minutes. We couldn't wait to get to half-time and try something different, which we did, and that worked better for us and we looked a threat up front.

"A draw would have been a fair result. I thought Liam's header was in, that it was going to be his day, but it just shows what a fine edge it is between victory and defeat.

"It was a cracking derby and we have been harshly treated."

[Freddy Adu]

Jerome pleads with Birmingham boss to select Forssell

Cameron Jerome has called on Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce to begin pairing him with Mikael Forssell in attack.

Jerome said: "I believe myself and Mikael are a partnership that can work in the Premier League. Definitely. We linked up really well in pre-season and did well together.

"Of course, in some of the games you have to go with 4-5-1 formation to combat the top teams and sometimes it works. You understand playing 4-5-1 against the Manchester Uniteds and Arsenals.

"Sometimes the manager prefers to play with the two defensive midfielders and one in the 'hole' and sometimes it works. You can get the person in the hole on the ball a lot and he can create opportunities for the wide men.

"But I am definitely more effective playing off a target man.

"As a lone striker you are asked to do a lot of running, holding the ball up and waiting for support, and that's a job you have to do.

"You want to play every game and you do as you are told but as a striker you'd love to play with two up front. It gives defenders more to think about.

"I've always played with two up front but it is good for me to learn to play as the lone striker and it improves my all-round game and that is coming on more and more."

[Freddy Adu]

Unsettled Birmingham boss Bruce eyes Wigan post

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce is being linked with the job at Wigan Athletic.

The Mirror says Bruce has been worried about his future recently with takeover talks at St Andrews.

[Freddy Adu]

Wigan chairman admits approaching Birmingham for Bruce talks

Wigan Athletic have confirmed they've approached Birmingham City for permission to speak with manager Steve Bruce.

Whelan confirmed he is now waiting for a response from Birmingham and told BBC Radio Five Live: "Steve Bruce has worked with me before, he was with me at Wigan five or six years ago for two months and did a super job then.

"I know there is a bit of a situation at Birmingham where the Chinese people are supposed to be taking over, they will not give Steve Bruce an answer (and) they will not extend his contract which is running out, so obviously he was a candidate for us."

"It all depends on Birmingham City, if they give us permission we will talk to him.

"Obviously if Birmingham say 'sorry, you can't speak to him' then he is under contract to them and we would have to abide by that."

[Freddy Adu]

Palacios pleads with Bruce to stick with Birmingham

Wilson Palacios is pleading with manager Steve Bruce to stay at Birmingham City.

Aware of Wigan Athletic's approach for the gaffer, the Honduras international told setantasports.com: "I hope that he is going to stay because he is a good coach.

"He backed me a lot and he is the one who made me do my first steps in The Premier League.

"If it is a good opportunity for him and if he wants to leave, then I understand his decision, because he has to do what is the best for himself.

"I do not wish that he leaves, but if he is replaced by another manager, I hope that this new one will like my football," he added. "If not, I will look at other options."

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham won't block Bruce from Wigan move

Birmingham City won't prevent Steve Bruce from moving to Wigan Athletic, it has been revealed.

The Guardian says mindful of the insecurity that now surrounds Bruce, however, and the lucrative contract on offer from Wigan, the St Andrew's hierarchy have decided not to stand in his way - as they did when Bolton made an approach this season - provided compensation demands are met.

The Midlands club initially rejected Wigan's request for permission to speak to Bruce, only to change their stance when the manager was tempted by the interest. A substantial release clause, inserted into the five-year contract he agreed in the wake of interest from Newcastle in 2004, also encouraged the change of heart.

Such was the speed of Wigan's move that personal terms are believed to have been agreed in principle.

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham boss Bruce keen to speak with Wigan

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce is keen to talk with Dave Whelan about the Wigan Athletic job.

A source close to Bruce told PA Sport: "Steve has worked with Dave Whelan (Wigan owner) in the past and got on fine with him and the club even though it was for only around six weeks.

"He has been trying for a new contract at Birmingham for six months and, if Birmingham give him permission, he would like to talk to Wigan.

"Everything is up in the air at Birmingham. He doesn't know how much money he will have to spend in January and has no guarantees about his own future.

"Steve has got a lot of affection for the club but the time has come where he has got to think about himself.

"For all he knows, there might not be a job for him in the new year if the takeover goes through."

[Freddy Adu]

McSheffrey calls for Birmingham to come clean over Bruce

Birmingham City winger Gary McSheffrey has called for the club to end the uncertainty over manager Steve Bruce's future.

"These are the things as a footballer you expect. You can never be surprised in this game," said the 25-year-old.

"There is some uncertainty over the future and we want it resolved as soon as possible."

McSheffrey has backed the board to make the right decision but admitted Birmingham without Bruce - who has turned down previous approaches from Newcastle and Bolton - would be a difficult prospect to consider.

"We want to be as one so we would be disappointed to lose the manager," the £4million summer 2006 signing from Coventry told Sky Sports News.

"He (Bruce) has brought a lot of the players here and has done well. He is a big part of Birmingham City and has turned the club around, getting us into the Premier League.

"The current uncertainty is disappointing but I'm sure one way or another the club will go forward and the chairman and the board will make the right decision for the club."

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham emergency board meeting over Wigan's Bruce push

Birmingham City's board will hold an emergency meeting today over Wigan Athletic's approach for manager Steve Bruce.

The Daily Mail says owners David Sullivan and David Gold, along with managing director Karren Brady, will thrash out a way forward after Wigan's formal offer for their manager was received yesterday.

Birmingham's three main decision-makers will gather at Sullivan's mansion in Essex to discuss Whelan's staggering offer and the potential takeover from Carson Yeung that has upset the equilibrium at St Andrew's.

The fact that the parties have agreed to meet highlights the seriousness of the situation. The board meet formally only at the end of every season, although they are in regular contact.

If permission is granted, it seems certain that Bruce will leave. He is unlikely to quit of his own accord due to prohibitive penalties that were inserted into his last contract.

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham want Black to takeover from Bruce

Birmingham City want assistant manager Eric Black to takeover from Steve Bruce should he move to Wigan Athletic in the coming days.

The Birmingham Mail says Bruce is certain to want to take his trusted assistant with him to the JJB Stadium.

The pair have formed quite a bond since Bruce, despite not having worked with him before, appointed Black as Mark Bowen's replacement in the summer of 2004.

Blues will sound out Black to see if he is keen to take over the reins, like he did at Coventry City to much acclaim when Gary McAllister resigned.

Whether it would be for an interim period, with a view to getting the job permanently subject to proving his worth, could be a major debating point.

Black is on a 12-month rolling contract and Wigan owner Dave Whelan is unlikely to baulk at handing him a longer deal.

[Freddy Adu]

Ridgewell urges Bruce to stay with Birmingham

Birmingham City captain Liam Ridgewell is urging manager Steve Bruce to stay.

"It shows the gaffer is doing a good job and people are looking at him. But from the players' point of view he is training us, and it would be sad to see him go," he told Sky Sports News.

"We hope to keep doing a good job, and hopefully Carson Yeung will see that and keep him as boss.

"He has been here a long time and we would be disappointed to see him go."

[Brasil]

Bruce set for Wigan


Written by: AFP

Steve Bruce, pictured in 2006, is close to leaving Birmingham for a second spell as manager of rudderless Wigan, chairman Dave Whelan revealed on Sunday. WIGAN, England (AFP) - Steve Bruce is close to leaving Birmingham for a second spell as manager of rudderless Wigan, chairman Dave Whelan revealed on Sunday. Bruce, who has been waiting for six months to seal a new deal at St Andrews, had been destined for the exit ever since Wigan, who sacked Chris Hutchings at the start of the month, made their interest clear. Birmingham gave the former Manchester United defender the chance to speak to Whelan on Friday and talks are now at an advanced stage. "We will have a meeting with Steve on Monday and we are hoping we can make an announcement on Monday or Tuesday," Whelan told BBC Radio 5 Live. "We look like we have a contract agreed but nothing has been signed. There is no doubt from the very start when we approached he was keen to come to Wigan." The Wigan boss revealed it has cost the club somewhere in the region of three million pounds in compensation to prise Bruce from Birmingham but he felt the fee was worth it. "There is a clause in there and we have to honour that. We have agreed that with Birmingham,"he added. "To get a manager of Steve Bruce's quality I think that is a bargain." Once Bruce's contract has been signed the next hurdle will be to try to persuade Birmingham to allow his assistant Eric Black to join him at the JJB Stadium. However, the St Andrews board are keen to retain the services of Black to ensure some continuity as plans for appointing Bruce's replacement remain in the balance while uncertainty over the proposed takeover by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung continues. "Eric Black has to be agreed between Steve and the management," explained Whelan. "I understand Birmingham want some continuity. He wants to come with Steve because a team always stays together. Whether he will come immediately I don't know. It is a mess when you are looking for a new manager. Everything is stirred up. It is never a happy time and the sooner it is over and Steve joins us I will be a very happy man." Wigan want Bruce to succeed Hutchings, who was sacked after 12 games in charge. Bruce, who had a brief spell in charge of Wigan in 2001, has been Birmingham manager for nearly six years. With just two wins from 13 games Wigan are languishing one off the foot of the Premier League table.