Steve Bruce declares interest in shock international job as ex-Newcastle boss, 63, says ‘they have a hell of a team’
STEVE BRUCE has declared his interest in taking over as manager of the South Korean national team.
The former Newcastle boss, 63, declared the Taegeuk Warriors “have a hell of a team” as he responded to reports linking him with the job.
Bruce has been out of management since leaving West Brom in October 2022.
However, he has been linked with replacing Jurgen Klinsmann as South Korea manager in recent weeks.
The World Cup winner was sacked after this year’s Asian Cup, with Hwang Sun-hong currently in interim charge.
Appearing on talkSPORT, Bruce said: “Is international management maybe something I would look at? Yes.
“I would do, and to be fair, South Korea have got a hell of a good team at the moment and all the rest of it.
“However, I believe they have appointed an interim, so I’m not against anything, but my missus might have something to say to me if I go South Korea!”
South Korea are currently ranked 22nd in the world ahead of a pair of World Cup qualifiers against Thailand this month.
They are captained by Tottenham’s Son Heung-min and have a squad which includes Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae.
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Steve Bruce on Mike Ashley
Steve Bruce was appointed Newcastle boss by Mike Ashley in 2019 and spent over two years in charge before his departure following the club’s Saudi-led takeover.
He told talkSPORT: “We talk about FFP, the club would never be in any distress under Mike Ashley.
“It was a greatly run club under Mike, and I know I’m going to get slaughtered for that, but it was.
“The big thing is, we never had a lot of money to spent, we would spend exactly what the club generated and of course that was never going to be enough to be successful.”
The role would represent a first international job for Bruce, who has never managed outside of England.
He has also been linked with replacing Stephen Kenny as Republic of Ireland boss in recent months.
Kenny left the Boys in Green after their disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Former Manchester United defender John O’Shea has since been appointed interim boss of the side.