FORMER Manchester United defender Steve Bruce is eyeing up a return to management.
The 62-year-old has been unemployed since he left West Brom in October 2022.
But he is now excited by the prospect of returning to the dugout.
Bruce exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone: “This is the longest I’ve been out of the game. I was unbroken for something like 46 years, and unfortunately, I’ve had a year out, now.
“I’ve been busy building a house over the last couple of years, so I’ve got myself involved with that. But, look, it’s time that I go back to work again.
“I’m itching to go back in, not necessarily as a manager. I wouldn’t mind helping a young manager, helping a club in any way; I’d like to think that after 46 years, if someone asked me a question about football, I’d be able to answer it.
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“I’d like to get back involved in some capacity. If it’s management, great. If it’s not, that’s also fine.
“Maybe consultancy… something along those lines. That sporting director role rings a nice bell for me; I think that would be a nice gig.
“I’ve had a break from it, but I’ve missed it. Especially those Saturday afternoons. These days, Saturday afternoon is a difficult place for me.
“I’ve forced myself to have this break, because I’ve never had one before, so we’ll see what happens now.”
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The ex-Newcastle manager also admitted that he is open to taking the vacant Republic of Ireland job following the departure of Stephen Kenny.
He said: “I’m led to believe I’m there or thereabout in the betting for the Ireland job. It’s a job that would interest me, that’s for sure.
“You know, as I’ve said, I’ve had a bit of time out and I’m itching to get back into the game, and something like that would suit me.
“Let’s see if the phone rings… it’s one of those; are they going to make an approach? At this moment in time, I really don’t know. But I’ve seen the betting sites and read the rumours, like everybody else.
“At the moment I can’t really comment on it because there’s been no connection.”
Following Bruce’s retirement from professional football he pursued a career in management.
The ex-defender has so far taken charge of Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Wigan, Crystal Palace, Birmingham, Sunderland, Hull, Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle.
He was sacked by the Magpies in October 2021 following their £305million Saudi takeover and replaced by Eddie Howe.
Bruce was linked with the interim manager position at his old club Man Utd the following month after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked.
But he recently revealed that he was not invited for talks with the Red Devils.
Speaking to Ladbrokes, he said: “”It was very kind of Peter [Schmeichel] to namecheck me as a potential interim boss for the Man United job.
“Look, if I could have helped out in any way, shape or form, then I would have done… that goes without saying.
“But it never materialised, no. No conversations took place with the club, no.”
Bruce was also in the running for the England job in 2016 but missed out to Sam Allardyce.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
