Steve Bruce: Agbonlahor issues promotion verdict after ‘speaking to numerous players at West Brom’
Valeirin Ismael was a “toxic” presence at West Brom, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa hero insisted they are now in a great position to get promoted under his former manager Steve Bruce.
West Brom confirmed last Thursday (3 February) Bruce had replaced Ismael on an 18-month contract.
Ismael had guided the Baggies to sixth in the Championship, eight points off the automatic promotion place.
“I said they should give it to Steve Bruce 10 days ago – he’s got four promotions on his CV,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“It wasn’t working under the old manager, numerous players I’ve spoken to at the club said it wasn’t working. His whole attitude around the training ground, how strict he was, he didn’t allow the English humour and banter that managers usually understand.
“Within three days of me saying that, Bruce has got the job. It just makes sense.
“Is Steve Bruce the man who can get West Brom promoted? Yes, I think he is.
“The 18-month contract works well. He can get them promoted and then have a bash in the Premier League, it works.
“I think West Brom are now in a better postiion to get promoted, definitely.
“Sometimes all it takes a manager who brings some happiness, makes you happy when you’re playing.
“They’ve got a great squad of players that should be doing better but when you’ve got a toxic manager in charge that can effect the players.
“Now Steve Bruce will bring some man-management to the place they’ve got more chance of going up, definitely.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed West Brom fans will be unhappy after a £5million ‘transfer budget’ blow.