The lowdown on Steve Bruce and his Blackpool staff ahead of first Bloomfield Road outing

The 63-year-old was named as the Seasiders’ new head coach last week, with the experienced manager signing a two-year deal with the Fylde Coast outfit.

Bruce has been out of football for nearly two years, but has stated now feels like the right time for him to get back into the game.

Here’s a closer look at the new Blackpool head coach and his backroom staff:

Steve Bruce

Bruce takes over at Bloomfield Road following the sacking of Neil Critchley last month.

During his playing career, he represented both Gillingham and Norwich City, before joining Manchester United in 1987.

Throughout his time at Old Trafford, the retired centre back won his fair share of honours, including three Premier League titles and three FA Cups.

After stints with Birmingham City and Sheffield United, Bruce started his coaching career with the latter, before spells in charge of Huddersfield Town, Wigan Athletic and Crystal Palace.

He returned to St Andrew’s in 2001, and helped the Blues to promotion to both the Premier League twice in a six-year stint.

Bruce returned to Wigan in 2007, and continued to coach in England’s top tier with Sunderland following his departure from the Brick Community Stadium.

After being sacked by the Black Cats, he joined Hull City in 2012, and enjoyed a fruitful spell in East Yorkshire, guiding the Tigers an FA Cup final, as well as two promotions to the Premier League, with his resignation coming after the latter in 2016.

Since then he’s coached Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United and West Brom, but has been out of work since 2022 after being sacked by the Baggies.  

Steve Agnew

Steve Agnew worked alongside Bruce during his time with Hull City, Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United and West Brom.

During his playing career, the 58-year-old started his career with Barnsley, before playing in the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City and Sunderland.

Following stints with York City and Gateshead, he moved into coaching, becoming an assistant with latter initially.

He later held a similar role with Hartlepool United, as well as working for both Leeds United and Middlesbrough in the reserves and the U18s.

While at the Riverside Stadium, he was appointed as first-team assistant, working with the likes of Gareth Southgate and Gordon Strachan.

He later returned to the North Yorkshire outfit while Aitor Karanka and Garry Monk were both at the club, and also oversaw two caretaker spells.

Prior to his move to Blackpool, Agnew’s most-recent coaching job was as Barry Robson’s assistant at Aberdeen.

Richard Keogh

Richard Keogh was added to Critchley’s backroom staff earlier this summer following the departure of Iain Brunskill, but was soon thrown in at the deep end after being made interim head coach.

In his two league games in charge, the Seasiders drew with both Cambridge United and Wycombe Wanderers.

Meanwhile, the 38-year-old oversaw a 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup and a 4-1 victory over Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Trophy.

The ex-Derby County, Bristol City and Carlisle United defender called time on his playing career at the end of last season following a stint with Forest Green Rovers.

Keogh knows Bloomfield Road well, having made 31 appearances in Tangerine during the 2021/22 campaign.

Stephen Dobbie

Like Keogh, Stephen Dobbie has previously taken interim charge of the Seasiders, and knows what it means to play for the club, having experienced four loan spells on the Fylde Coast.

In the last few years, the 41-year-old has worked with Blackpool’s development squad, and most recently the U18s.

Alongside his 15 goals and eight assists in 56 games in Tangerine, Dobbie also played for the likes Queen of the South, Swansea City and Hibernian before hanging up his boots in 2022 following a stint with AFC Fylde.

Steve Banks

During his playing career, goalkeeping coach Steve Banks was with Blackpool between 1995 and 1999, and also represented the likes of Gillingham and Bolton Wanderers.

Prior to his retirement in 2015, the 52-year-old had already started transitioning to his current role.

After coaching with St Johnstone, he took on a position with the Seasiders, but departed the following summer.

Following spells with Bradford City, Tranmere Rovers and Scotland Women’s national team, he returned to Bloomfield Road in 2019, and has worked under several managers.