'Different level' - two time promotion-winning Birmingham City boss makes huge 'double' prediction
Steve Bruce has tipped Birmingham to continue their upwards trajectory next season
Former Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce knows a thing or two about promotions from his time at the West Midlands where he is credited with leading the Blues from the Championship to the Premier League on two occasions.
The first came early in his managerial career during the 2001/02 season when he arrived midway through the campaign to win the play-off final against Norwich City on penalties at the Millennium Stadium.
It marked the club’s first appearance in the Premier League and their first season in the top-flight since relegation in 1986. That’s where the Blues would stay for the next four seasons under the former Manchester United captain before eventually dropping down to the Championship in 2006.
Bruce restored the Blues back to the Premier League at the first time of asking before departing to join Wigan Athletic in November 2007, marking an end to his longest managerial stint at any football club.
The 64-year-old has since gone on to manage the likes of Sunderland, Hull City, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and West Brom, and currently finds himself at Blackpool where he’ll be aiming to achieve his fifth career promotion after twice leading Hull into the Premier League.
Bruce claims he’s been impressed by the progress of Birmingham from afar and claims he’s not surprised at all to see the club heading back to the second tier after a record-breaking campaign.
Steve Bruce praises Chris Davies for excellent debut season
Ex-Blues boss Steve Bruce has compared the current crop of Birmingham City players to the one Wolves had under Nuno Espirito Santo in the Championship and claims he fully expected them to thrive in the third tier with their big budget.
He told the Blackpool Gazette: “I said Birmingham would win it by 20 points, they are the outstanding team in our league - it reminds of when we were in the Championship and Wolves had that wonderful team.
“Fair play to them, they’ve had a big budget, but the manager has done very well with a group of players that are easily at a different level. Expectation brings its own pressure, but Chris (Davies) has handled himself.
“You can only stand back and applaud them. I’m a little bit biased because I had 10 years of my career there, so they are one I always look out for. They’ve been in the doldrums, but now they’re a different club. Fair play to the new owners, I hope it continues for them.”
Steve Bruce makes bold Birmingham City prediction
Earlier this week, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton predicted that the Blues would finish in the top six in their first year back in the Championship.
However, Steve Bruce has gone a step further with his assessment and claims back-to-back promotions could be on the cards. He explained: “It wouldn’t surprise me if they did the double because I think they’re ready to go again. They’ve got a bit of momentum and the nucleus of a very good side. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve got two or three other things up their sleeve that will only improve them.
“It’ll be a tough game (for Blackpool), but one to enjoy. Let’s see how good we are. We played really well at St Andrew’s and we’ll have to do the same again.”
Blackpool are ninth in the table but have shown signs of improvement under Bruce after a slow start with 17 wins, 17 draws and 12 defeats across all competitions.