Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder believes Steve Bruce could secure a Premier League return this season. One year ago, the former Newcastle United manager was preparing for a season opener at St James’ Park against West Ham.
That game ended in a 4-2 defeat - the start of a disastrous eight-game winless run that saw Bruce sacked by the new Saudi-backed regime. Afterwards, the 61-year-old admitted he was considering retirement but returned to the dugout four months later to take charge of West Bromwich Albion.
Wilder went head-to-head with Bruce in their Championship opener this weekend, with both clubs looking to mount a promotion charge. The latter boasts the record of securing more second-tier promotions than any other manager - a record his counterpart thinks he deserves more credit for.
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Speaking ahead of the game on Saturday, Wilder fired a thinly-veiled swipe at Newcastle fans for the supposed “nonsense” Bruce has endured. “I've always gone on record in terms of what Steve has achieved as a player and manager,” he said.
“(He had a) fantastic career as a player and I wish I had his career as a manager, the number of promotions he has. There's noise and nonsense outside the game but you'll struggle to find a more respected man than Steve Bruce in terms of coaches, staff and administrators.
“He's a top guy; he wants to win. He hasn't gone to West Brom not to get out of the division. West Brom should be at the top pushing to get out of the division.
“He came in last year in a difficult period, it's difficult to get going straight away but with a full pre-season and the squad he has, they'll expect to be in the mix.”
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