Former West Brom player makes prediction on Steve Bruce’s future at The Hawthorns

Former West Bromwich Albion forward Kevin Phillips believes new manager Steve Bruce’s future may be assessed at the end of the season after being appointed on Thursday, speaking in an interview with West Brom News.

The 61-year-old comes in looking to guide the Baggies back to the Premier League following an underwhelming season under predecessor Valerien Ismael so far, with the Frenchman winning just one of his last eight competitive games at the club before being dismissed earlier this week.

New CEO Ron Gourlay moved quickly to appoint a successor, revealing that Bruce was his one and only target as he looks set to take charge of his first game away at Sheffield United on Wednesday night, in what promises to be a baptism of fire for the ex-Newcastle United boss.

Bruce left St James’ Park back in October following a poor start to the 2021/22 campaign and the club’s takeover – and it was unclear as to whether he would return to the managerial hot seat following a turbulent time on Tyneside.

However, he has decided to take on this challenge to make the Baggies a top-flight team once again with his new club currently sitting sixth place and eight points away from the automatic promotion places as things stand.

For a side previously thought to have been one of the favourites to secure a top-two spot in their quest to return to the top tier, there will be considerable pressure on Bruce straight away, especially from those who are more sceptical about his performance.

And despite his contract not expiring until the end of the 2022/23 season, ex-Albion striker Phillips believes his future may be reviewed by the second-tier side’s hierarchy at the end of this campaign.

He said to West Brom News: “It’s amazing how things work out