Roy Keane dismisses West Brom links after Steve Bruce is sacked

Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane has distanced himself from the vacant managerial role at West Bromwich Albion, despite admitting he still has an “urge” to get back into coaching.

Speculation linking the former Manchester United midfielder with West Brom had surfaced following confirmation of Steve Bruce’s departure from The Hawthorns but Keane, speaking on Monday Night Football, said the rumours were “bizarre” and “nonsense”.

He also revealed his desire to one day return to the managerial hotseat having last occupied a role at a club back in 2019, where he was assistant manager at Nottingham Forest.

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“It’s bizarre,” he said. “The bookies do play silly games with people. No, I think I’ve been favourite for a few jobs over the past year or two. It’s all nonsense.

“The same for any speculation over the past 24 or 48 hours. Absolute rubbish.”

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Speaking about the prospect of returning to management, having spent time at both Sunderland and Ipswich Town shortly after retiring from playing, Keane added: “A pit in my stomach tells me to get back in.

“I think I can help players. I’m not going to be quick to give up what I’m doing now. I have a nice life.

“I still have that urge to go back into it. It’s hard to shake it off. I might get that opportunity again. If something happens then great, if not life goes on.”

Bruce sacked as West Brom boss

Image: Steve Bruce has been sacked by West Brom after a poor start to the season

Steve Bruce has been sacked as West Brom head coach following a run of just one win in their opening 13 Championship matches this season.

Bruce departs The Hawthorns after just eight months in charge following Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to Luton.

His only league win this season came at home to Hull City in August, with the team currently in the relegation zone.

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Backroom staff Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence and Alex Bruce have also left The Hawthorns.

U21s coach Richard Beale has been appointed as interim boss and will be assisted by James Morrison and Gary Walsh. West Brom’s next league fixture sees them travel to Reading on Saturday.

Championship managers to leave jobs this season

Steve Bruce – West Brom (sacked)
Chris Wilder – Middlesbrough (sacked)
Shota Arveladze – Hull (sacked)
Paul Warne – Rotherham (joined Derby)
Steve Morrison – Cardiff (sacked)
Danny Schofield – Huddersfiled (sacked)
Alex Neil – Sunderland (joined Stoke)
Michael O’Neill – Stoke (sacked)

West Brom say the process to search for a successor is now under way and an appointment will be confirmed in due course.

Former Birmingham boss Bruce took over at West Brom from Valerien Ismael in February – four months after being sacked by Newcastle, a job he said would likely be his last – and only managed to oversee eight wins in 32 matches.

Bruce’s final words in charge of West Brom

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Luton Town

There were chants of ‘Bruce out’ from West Brom fans at The Hawthorns on Saturday during the 0-0 draw with Luton after Brandon Thomas-Asante and Grady Diangana were taken off.

Bruce insisted after the game that both had knocks before praising the supporters and reiterating his desire to fight for his job.

He said: “I understand the frustrations totally. Whether I am in charge or someone else, there is a difficult road ahead.

“I’ve been going 25 years and it is not great, let’s be brutally honest.

“But I understand, they pay their money and they are entitled to their opinion.

“There is something in me that I will never quit when I am up against it.

“I’ve quit to get a better job, which we’re all entitled to do, but I’m not just going to walk away now, what would that look like?

“I’ve just seen my players give everything, yes we could have done better out there but there was a fight and a passion and something about them.

“It has been a difficult few weeks but I’ll never walk, that means quitting.”