STEVE JOBS

After the ups and downs of managing 1,032 games with 12 clubs, Bruce is back at Tangerines because: Retirement wasn't for ME

- NEIL GOULDING

STEVE BRUCE snubbed retirement because the pain of not being in the dugout was just too hard to endure.

The 63-year-old former Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Hull City boss has been out of management for nearly two years after being sacked by West Brom in October 2022 following just eight months in charge.

But having been linked with a string of top jobs since then, including most recently the Jamaica national side, Bruce is relishing the chance to try to achieve success with League One Blackpool.

"I've realised retirement wasn't for me," said Bruce. "I've really missed it, that's why I'm back in it. I've missed the buzz of a Saturday afternoon, for sure. I'm raring to go.

"I needed to take a break and in the end I forced myself to take a break. The first 12 months was quite easy, but the longer it's gone on I've had itchy feet.