Steve Bruce in contention to land new EFL job as manager sacked ‘with immediate effect’
Steve Bruce could soon return to the dugout, with him being tipped to potentially take over at newly managerless League Two side Barrow.
Bruce featured over 400 times for Man United and has managed 12 different clubs since the end of his playing days back in 1998.
His most notable spells in the dugout have been with Birmingham City, Hull City, Aston Villa and Newcastle United, with more than 1,000 professional games managed in the last 27 years.
Bruce was most recently the manager of Blackpool in League One, but was dismissed in October with the club 23rd in the table after 13 months at the helm.
The 64-year-old is set to be snapped up by another club as his long managerial career winds down, but could be in line for a quick return to the dugout up north after some new developments.
Bruce third-favourite to be next Barrow manager after Andy Whing sacking
League Two club Barrow poached manager Andy Whing from National League high-flyers Solihull Moors in January, appointing him on a two-year deal.
An upturn in results saw them avoid relegation last season with a 16th-placed finish, but things have not gone well so far in 2025-26, with the club sat 18th after winning just one of their last nine league games.
Barrow moved to sack Whing as their boss “with immediate effect” on Wednesday (10 December) following a 3-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers, with the odds on who could be their next manager now outlined.
Bruce is currently the third favourite for the role at 6/1, behind both Neil McDonald and Steve Evans at 4/1 and 5/1 respectively.
Mike Williamson is close behind at 7/1, while Simon Grayson, David Unsworth and Garry Monk are all priced at 10/1 to take over at the SO Legal Stadium.
What Bruce has said about managing again
At 64 years old, it certainly would not be a surprise to see Bruce quit management for good after leaving Blackpool two months ago.
He did well in the early stages of his time at Bloomfield Road, winning League One Manager of the Month for September 2024, but was unable to help the club progress long-term.
Speaking to Sky Sports last month, he admitted that he could step away from the pressures of the dugout for good, saying: “I am never going to say never, but I highly doubt it (managing again). Maybe it’s time to go and do other things in life.
“That (being in a board role) might be the next step. I’d love to stay in it in some capacity. It’s a difficult one. You never know, look at Martin O’Neill!”
It remains to be seen whether the 64-year-old will take the plunge into management once more, with Barrow a potential next destination if he wishes to continue.