World Cup winner, mercurial winger and talkSPORT pundit among the best players Steve Bruce has ever managed

By premiernews On Jun 4, 2024

Steve Bruce named a World Cup winner and a talkSPORT pundit among the three best players he has managed.

Old Birmingham and Newcastle The boss has been out of work since leaving his role as West Brom manager in October 2022 and joined talkSPORT to reflect on his 24-year managerial career so far.

Bruce was in the talkSPORT studio on Tuesday and revealed the three best players he has worked with.Credit: talkSPORT

Bruce admits that he still has unfinished business in football management and hopes to find his way back to football sooner rather than later.

During an appearance on talkSPORT Breakfast on Tuesday, the 63-year-old was asked who the three best players he had managed during his career were, and his answers were emphatic.

“I had the privilege of signing Christophe Dugarry when I was at Birmingham,” Bruce explained. “He was a World Cup winner and a bit flamboyant. He earned 55 caps for France and for six months he was possibly the best player I have ever had the privilege of managing.

“He did things single-handedly to keep Birmingham in the Premier League, he was fantastic.”

Next on the list was a Tyneside fan favorite who now plies his trade in the Saudi Pro League and who Bruce believes is an incredible talent.

“(Allan) Saint-Maximin at Newcastle, what a talent this kid had,” he continued. “All of a sudden, I see someone here thinking there aren't many people who can do what he can do.

“A bit out of character, but I've never seen an individual talent like that, so Saint-Maximin has to be up there.

Last but not least, Bruce reserved a special place for a member of the talkSPORT family and former Champions League finalist.

French striker Dugarry quickly became a fan favorite during his time at Birmingham City alongside Bruce.Credit: Getty

Bruce enjoyed a good relationship with former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-MaximinCredit: Getty

The former Birmingham boss paid tribute to Pennant's efforts during his time at St AndrewsCredit: Getty

“Then there is the scoundrel, Jermaine PennantBruce joked. He was in the best situation when I hired him, but he came and did very well for Birmingham.

“I enjoyed managing him and obviously everything that happens with him, but in terms of his football ability, he made a great move to Liverpool.

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“I remember him playing in the European Cup final, where Liverpool were beaten (by AC Milan), but he was the player of the match.”

Bruce has managed 12 clubs since beginning his managerial career in 1998, when Sheffield United gave him his first opportunity.

He achieved promotion to the Premier League three times with Birmingham in 2002 and Hull in 2013 and 2016. He led the Tigers to the FA Cup final in 2014, but they were narrowly beaten 3-2 by Arsenal.

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