Lincoln City’s League One rivals Blackpool have sacked manager Steve Bruce after a poor start to the 2025/26 campaign.
The former Birmingham City, Aston Villa and West Brom boss leaves Bloomfield Road with the Tangerines sitting 23rd in the table after 11 matches. He’s the second boss to be given the heave-ho this season, after Mike Dodds was booted by Wycombe Wanderers last month.
Bruce’s Departure Confirmed
Blackpool announced Bruce’s exit on Sunday morning, confirming that assistant Steve Agnew and first-team coach Stephen Clemence have also left their roles. In a club statement, they said:
“Blackpool Football Club can announce the departure of Head Coach Steve Bruce, Assistant Head Coach Steve Agnew and First-Team Coach Stephen Clemence. The Club would like to thank them for their efforts, and wishes them the very best for the future.”
Former forward Stephen Dobbie and goalkeeping coach Steve Banks will take charge of the first team on an interim basis while the search for a permanent successor begins.
Bruce was appointed in September 2024 and won just over a third of his games in charge. He was in the dugout twice against City, once as we stole a late leveller a year ago at their place, and again as they swept us aside at ours in January.
Despite his reputation and vast experience, his side managed only two league wins this season, the latest defeat coming 2-0 at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
When Bruce was appointed, owner Simon Sadler hailed his “experience and leadership qualities” and said he expected the veteran coach to build a hardworking and entertaining team. Yet after a run of inconsistent results and a place in the relegation zone, patience has run out on the Fylde coast.
Blackpool will now look to stabilise before their trip to Stockport County next weekend. Whoever takes charge next faces a challenge to revive confidence within a squad that has underperformed since dropping from the Championship in 2024.
Bruce’s Managerial Journey
Bruce’s managerial career spans more than 1,000 games, including spells with Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, Hull City, Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion. His most successful period came at Hull, guiding them to two promotions to the Premier League and an FA Cup final appearance in 2014.
His latest stint at Blackpool was his first role since leaving West Brom in 2022. The dismissal marks the third time in five years he has been removed from a post in the EFL, surely signalling the end of his long career in the dugout.