Steve Bruce: ‘Incredible’ claim issued as West Brom backed for promotion – Mills
Danny Mills has backed Steve Bruce to lead West Brom to the Premier League.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Leeds United and England right-back insisted Valerien Ismael had to be replaced as his style of football had been worked out by opponents.
West Brom confirmed on Thursday (3 February) Bruce had been appointed as his successor on an 18-month contract.
He will take charge of his new club for the first time on Wednesday (9 February) when they travel to Sheffield United.
The Baggies are currently sixth in the Championship, eight points behind the automatic promotion places.
Asked whether he thought Bruce can take West Brom up, Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Yes, I do.
“He’s better than the previous manager. It gives them a better chance.
“Ismael’s style of play worked at Barnsley for a period but it hasn’t really worked at West Brom.
“I’ve seen them a couple of times live and they are a little bit predictable, a little bit direct. They’ve got one way of playing and when teams work that out, as they have done, you’ve got nowhere to go with it and I think that’s what has happened.
“They’re in a good position. They’ve got a great opportunity so they are trying to maximise that.
“Bruce is an incredibly experienced, good man-manager, let’s not forget that. On a short-term deal, I think it’s a really good deal.”
Bruce has four promotions to the Premier League on his managerial CV – two at Hull City and two at Birmingham City.
He had been out of work since October 2021 when he was sacked by Newcastle United.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed West Brom fans will be unhappy after a £5million ‘transfer budget’ blow.