Journalist makes claim on West Brom CEO’s stance on key figure ahead of the summer window

West Bromwich Albion CEO Ron Gourlay wants manager Steve Bruce to be in charge at The Hawthorns beyond the end of the season, according to Express and Star reporter Joseph Masi who delivered his belief on the Baggies Broadcast.

Gourlay was appointed shortly after Valerien Ismael’s dismissal and was tasked with finding a replacement for the Frenchman, recruiting Bruce just days later with the former Reading and Chelsea CEO stating that the latter was the club’s one and only candidate for the top job.

Bruce’s return to management comes after a turbulent time at Newcastle United, failing to win any of his opening eight Premier League games of the 2021/22 season before being dismissed by the club’s then-new owners.

He endured a torrid start at West Brom as well, winning just one point from a possible 15 in his opening five league games at the helm in the West Midlands before enduring a much more positive March, going unbeaten in all four clashes.

Unfortunately, the start he made to his spell has all but ruled Albion out of the top-six race, a real disappointment for the Baggies considering they went unbeaten in their opening ten second-tier matches of 2021/22 and have spent much of the campaign in the play-off zone.

Regardless of this disappointment though, journalist Masi believes the 61-year-old will still be in the hot seat next term with the ex-Newcastle boss enjoying a good relationship with Albion’s CEO.

He said (via West Brom News): “I truly believe that Steve Bruce wants to be Albion manager next season, and I truly believe Ron Gourlay wants Steve Bruce to be Albion manager next season.

“So I believe Bruce will be Albion manager next season.

“I genuinely think he’s enjoying it, I genuinely think he feels comfortable