Blackpool manager Steve Bruce is on the brink of losing his job, if his side lose to Luton Town on Tuesday Evening, according to reports.
Bruce’s side have won just 2 of their 9 games played, conceding 15 goals along the way. The Seasiders sit in the relegation places in 22nd in Sky Bet League One, following their loss to Bradford City on Saturday.
Bruce’s Appointment
Steve Bruce has been in charge at Bloomfield Road for a little over a year, following his appointment in early September 2024 after the dismissal of Neil Critchley. He arrived with expectations following good spells with Hull City and Premier League duo Aston Villa & Newcastle United.
Following a ninth place finish in League One last season, many fans had envisaged a promotion campaign but Bruce’s squad have not lived up to the hype thus far.
Blackpool’s Squad
Blackpool’s squad is littered with quality, who should be doing much better than they are. Despite losing players such as Rob Apter, Jake Beesley, Sonny Carey and Matt Pennington, the Seasiders welcomed the likes of Malcolm Ebiowei, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Fraser Horsfall, George Honeyman and Josh Bowler to name just a few.
No fewer than 16 faces arrived at Bloomfield Road as the board backed Bruce. This isn’t a squad that should be languishing at the foot of the table especially under a manager with Steve Bruce’s experience.
The Seasiders Form
The Seasiders have won just twice this season so far, a 1-0 win against Barnsley which seemed to temporarily take the pressure of the 64-year-old and a 3-2 win against Huddersfield Town earlier in the season.
A 4-1 loss away at Exeter City in August was a real blow for Bruce but they’ve also lost to the likes of Plymouth Argyle and Mansfield Town.
The 1-0 away loss to Bradford City on Saturday optimises the mood at Bloomfield Road at the moment. The visitors were good for the first half an hour before Niall Ennis was withdrawn with a calf injury that will keep him out for 8-10 weeks. When your luck is out, it’s really out.
Dale Taylor replaced Ennis but struggled to grow into the game as Blackpool went down to a Josh Neufville winner for the Bantams.
Bruce Remains Defiant
Despite their poor start to the season, Bruce remains convinced that he is the man to lead Blackpool out of this slump.
“I’m always confident in my own belief that I can do the job,” he told reporters ahead of the crucial clash. “We’ve got back-to-back home games, so let’s see if we can kick start our season. None of us get time anymore, so I’ve got to pick a team that can win tonight and win on Saturday to get started again”
Speaking aboard the support he has received from the board, Bruce was thankful:
“Look, he’s one of the reasons why I came to the club. The owner is a really, really stable guy who wants his club to do well and that’s the reason why I’m here.”
“I want to try to help him get to where he wants to get to. The owner has been nothing but supportive of what I’ve tried to put in place.”
“He certainly put his hand in his pocket to give us the squad of players, so all I can say is a big thank you to the owner.”
His belief may fall on deaf ears, however, as fans get itchy and demand results.
Who Could Replace Bruce?
It is strongly rumoured that the board at Bloomfield Road already have Bruce’s successor lined up… Blackpool born Ian Evatt who has recently departed Bolton Wanderers. Evatt is seen as a younger, hungrier coach which is what the Tangerines seem to need at the minute to take them out of this rut. Bruce, meanwhile, seems set in his ways, stubborn almost.
43-year-old Evatt had a successful playing career for the Tangerines, appearing over 200 times.
Blackpool’s Next Few Games
Bruce’s men face a tough few weeks as they host Luton Town on Tuesday Evening before Wimbledon come to town on Saturday. A tough trip to Stockport County follows that.
The fans at Bloomfield Road will be hoping results are a lot better or it could come at the cost of Steve Bruce’s job.
What do you make of Blackpool’s form? Does Bruce have a future at Bloomfield Road? Let us know in the comments.
