
<p>The rumors around Steve Bruce’s potential return to the role of international manager have been fueled further by his recent comments.</p>



<p>With an eye on a managerial comeback, Steve Bruce has indirectly applied for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/steve-bruce-favorite-to-become-next-ireland-manager-20230915-WST-456398.html">open position in the Republic of Ireland</a>. </p>



<p>Following Stephen Kenny’s departure earlier this month, the former Sunderland and West Brom coach has been a mainstay among the desired prospects.</p>



<p>Following a dismal <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-european-championship-tv-schedule/">Euro 2024</a> qualifying campaign, the Football Association of Ireland quickly announced that Stephen Kenny’s term will not be renewed. Out of eight matches, his team won just two.</p>



<p>They have reportedly already begun looking for a new manager. Once an appointment is finalized before the 2024 March and June friendlies, the coaching staff will be reviewed.</p>



<h2>What does Steve Bruce say about his managerial hiatus?</h2>



<p>Since his departure from West Bromwich Albion in October 2022, Steve Bruce has not been employed by any team.</p>



<p>Despite this, he has spoken clean about his want to return to work after the longest hiatus from soccer in his almost fifty years of participation in the sport.</p>



<p>“This is the longest I’ve been out of the game. It was unbroken for something like 46 years, and unfortunately, I’ve had a year out, now. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>“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”, he told <a href="https://sports.ladbrokes.com/news/football/steve-bruce-on-ireland-vacancy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ladbrokes&nbsp;Fanzone</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="592" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231203_WST_474615_image-4.webp&amp;width=592&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-474639" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/image-4.png 592w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/image-4-300x292.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px"></figure><figcaption>Discussions over the candidates for the Ireland job</figcaption></figure>



<h2>What does Steve Bruce think about Ireland’s vacant position?</h2>



<p>As a result, the 62-year-old has acknowledged that the Boys in Green position is appealing to him.&nbsp; The former Newcastle coach thinks he would be a suitable replacement for Stephen Kenny as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/ireland-national-team-tv-schedule/">Ireland</a> manager in a position he may excel in.</p>



<p>“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.</p>



<p>“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 rumors, like everybody else. At the moment I can’t really comment on it because there’s been no connection.</p>



<p>“I know a couple of the lads in that team well – most recently, of course, I’ve worked with Dara [O’Shea] and [Jayson] Molumby. Dara, in particular, is probably having a difficult time with Burnley at the moment, but what a compliment it was for him to have been signed by Vincent Kompany.</p>



<p>“Dara had great leadership skills and he plays with a wonderful attitude. He never knows when he’s beaten, he’s a fierce competitor… as tough as they come, in fact”, he added.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / PA Images</p>


Ex-EPL boss plans coaching comeback, eyes Ireland job

The vacant coaching position of Ireland has caught the attention of a former Premier League manager who is considering a managerial comeback.

Ex-EPL boss plans coaching comeback, eyes Ireland job - World Soccer Talk


<p>Steve Bruce, the former manager of Newcastle, is now the frontrunner to lead the Irish national team.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/ireland-national-team-tv-schedule/">Ireland</a> has won just one of its five qualifying games so far. Consequently, the Irish are at severe risk of missing <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-european-championship-tv-schedule/">Euro 2024</a>. Even though they have not been doing well, Steven Kenny has been given the green light to continue the qualifying campaign.</p>



<p>It will culminate in a match against the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/netherlands-national-team-tv-schedule-20221020-WST-400055.html">Netherlands</a> in November. After that break, though, Ireland may need a new permanent manager. If Kenny decides to step down, Irish betting group Paddy Power says Bruce is the odds-on favorite to take over.</p>



<h2>Steve Bruce emerges as favorite for Ireland post</h2>



<p><a href="http://go.skimresources.com/?id=125352X1647774&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paddypower.com%2Fbet&amp;sref=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/ex-newcastle-united-manager-steve-bruce-made-shock-favourite-for-international-job-4336646" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paddy Power</a>: “Paddy Power has slashed the odds on Steve Bruce being the next permanent Republic of Ireland manager after a flurry of bets on the former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/newcastle-united-tv-schedule/">Newcastle United</a> manager this morning.</p>



<p>“Despite the FAI confirming that Stephen Kenny will remain in the role until the end of the Euro Qualifying campaign, the former Manchester United center-back attracted a large number of bets in the space of a couple of hours moving his odds from 11/1 to 2/1.</p>



<p>“With the FAI committing to Kenny until November at the earliest, we assumed things would have quietened down, but instead it seems to have triggered something and our customers willing to back Steve Bruce at any price.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Jack Charlton &amp; a train driver - How Steve Bruce almost played for Republic of Ireland at USA &apos;94" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VCej_5yRJWc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<h5>Has Steve Bruce ever led national team in career?</h5>



<p>Former Ireland manager Jack Charlton sought Bruce to represent the Irish in the 1994 World Cup. In addition to his stints at Sunderland and Birmingham, he also coached Sheffield Wednesday. His most recent managerial position was at West Brom. There, he lasted only eight months before the Baggies sacked him. </p>



<p>Although he made vague references to a quick comeback to management after being fired in October of last year, he has been without a club ever since. The 62-year-old, though, would thrive in an international managerial role, and Ireland is a plausible choice.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


Steve Bruce favorite to become next Ireland manager

Surprisingly, Steve Bruce has been considered for a managerial role in the Ireland national team ahead of the 2024 Euro.

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Ex-EPL boss plans coaching comeback, eyes Ireland job

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Steve Bruce favorite to become next Ireland manager