Exclusive: Steve Bruce in Frame for Newport County Manager’s Role

Former Blackpool boss Steve Bruce is a shock candidate to become the next Newport County manager, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The Exiles sacked manager David Hughes on Saturday after six months in charge following a poor start to the League Two season.

And our sources understand former Newcastle, Sunderland and Crystal Palace manager Bruce is now firmly in the frame to take up the managerial reigns.

Veteran boss Bruce was sacked by the Seasiders little over a month ago after a disappointing start to League One.

But now the Exiles are trying to persuade the 64-year-old to take up a new challenge in South Wales.

Bruce has managed over 1,000 games during a distinguished career and has never managed a League Two club before.

His impressive spell as a manager takes in the Premier League, Championship and League, with numerous promotions and honours during that time.

He was briefly linked with a short-term move to Norwich City as interim boss while the club searched for a long-term successor, but the talks ultimately came to nothing.

DISMAL START

But, arguably, it would likely be some ask for the former Manchester United ace to turn things around with Newport rooted to the foot of the third tier table after 11 defeats from their opening 16 league fixtures.

The club are fighting frantically for their English Football League status, which is why the Welsh outfit are looking to turn to an experienced manager in Bruce.

Bruce has managed 12 different clubs throughout career and it understood to be looking for a new challenge despite leaving Bloomfield Road last month.

After being sacked as West Brom boss in October 2022, the former defender had been out of the game for almost two years before taking over at the Seasiders.

Former Exiles boss Michael Flynn has been linked with a return to his hometown club, while former Swansea City, Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk, ex-Leeds United assistant boss Cameron Toshack and former Wales manager Rob Page have also been rumoured to be interested in the vacancy.