Steve Bruce feels the Republic of Ireland job “would suit me” as he considers a return to management.
The Football Association of Ireland made a swift announcement it would not be extending Stephen Kenny’s three-and-a-half-year stay following the end what was a disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, winning just two of eight matches.
The recruitment process for a new head coach has already started, with a review of the coaching staff set to take place once an appointment has been made ahead of friendly matches taking place in March and June 2024.
Bruce, 62, has been out of the game since leaving West Brom in October 2022.
The former Newcastle, Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa boss, though, believes the time is right to consider a return.
Bruce told Ladbrokes: Fanzone: “I’m led to believe I’m there or thereabouts in the betting for the Ireland job. It’s a job that would interest me, that’s for sure.
“You know, as I’ve said, I’ve had a bit of time out and I’m itching to get back into the game, and something like that would suit me.
“Let’s see if the phone rings. It’s one of those – are they going to make an approach? At this moment in time, I really don’t know. But I’ve seen the betting sites and read the rumours, like everybody else.
“At the moment I can’t really comment on it because there’s been no connection.”
After moving into management following the end of his playing career, former Manchester United defender Bruce also had spells at Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Wigan, Crystal Palace, Birmingham, Sunderland and Hull.
Having spent time away from the game with his family, Bruce is now “itching to go back in”, and would also consider a consultancy role helping guide a young coach.
“It’s time that I go back to work again,” he said.
“I’m itching to go back in, not necessarily as a manager. I wouldn’t mind helping a young manager, helping a club in any way.
“I’d like to think that after 46 years, if someone asked me a question about football, I’d be able to answer it.
“I’d like to get back involved in some capacity. If it’s management, great. If it’s not, that’s also fine.
“Maybe consultancy, something along those lines. That sporting director role rings a nice bell for me. I think that would be a nice gig.
“I’ve had a break from it, but I’ve missed it. Especially those Saturday afternoons. These days, Saturday afternoon is a difficult time for me.
“I’ve forced myself to have this break, because I’ve never had one before, so we’ll see what happens now.”
Messi 'will be our No.10 in 2026', hopes Inter Miami chief Mas
Inter Miami fully expect Lionel Messi to remain at the club beyond his current contract ahead of the 2026 MLS season.
Those were the words of Miami's club managing owner, Jorge Mas, who was speaking to the media following Gerardo Martino's resignation earlier on Friday.
Messi joined the MLS side in July 2023 on a two-and-a-half-year contract, leading the Herons to the Supporters' Shield and Leagues Cup during his time in the United States so far.
His current deal is due to expire at the end of next year, though Mas made clear his desire to see Messi remain with the Herons at Miami Freedom Park, the club's new stadium that will open in 2026.
"He’s under contract through 2025. Leo and I will sit, and we’ll discuss the future,” Mas said.
“As I’ve said before, and I will repeat it now: I fully expect that in the opening of our new stadium in 2026 in Miami and the opening of our 2026 season, hopefully after a trophy-laden 2025 season, that Lionel Messi will be our No. 10.”
Man United could be without Toone until new year, says Skinner
Marc Skinner revealed that Manchester United could be without midfielder Ella Toone until the new year after she picked up a calf injury in training.
Toone has featured in five games in the Women's Super League this season, but is yet to register a goal or an assist so far this term.
The 25-year-old has missed United's last two games and was not selected in Sarina Wiegman's England squad for their upcoming friendlies against the United States and Switzerland.
She had previously appeared in a staggering 96 straight matches before missing United's WSL showdown with Leicester City last weekend.
But ahead of the Red Devils' meeting with league leaders Chelsea on Sunday, Skinner confirmed they would be without Toone for not only that game, but for the foreseeable future.
"We have three games [after the international break and before Christmas]. There's always the hope, but I think you balance and you go, 'right, if we can get her back, we get her back'," Skinner said.
"But we're just not going to rush her in this moment because it's a calf injury, it's your running mechanism. If we injure the running mechanism, it takes longer.
"So ideally we'd like her back for those games afterwards.
"The projection is she misses this game [Chelsea], she misses the international window, probably misses the first game after that, and then we'll see from there.
"But because it is such a short block of only three games, we'll assess whether it's worth that or actually resetting to come back after Christmas."
Man United could be without Toone until Christmas, says Skinner
Marc Skinner revealed that Manchester United could be without midfielder Ella Toone until the new year after she picked up a calf injury in training.
Toone has featured in five games in the Women's Super League this season, but is yet to register a goal or an assist so far this term.
The 25-year-old has missed United's last two games and was not selected in Sarina Wiegman's England squad for their upcoming friendlies against the United States and Switzerland.
She had previously appeared in a staggering 96 straight matches before missing United's WSL showdown with Leicester City last weekend.
But ahead of the Red Devils' meeting with league leaders Chelsea on Sunday, Skinner confirmed they would be without Toone for not only that game, but for the foreseeable future.
"We have three games [after the international break and before Christmas]. There's always the hope, but I think you balance and you go, 'right, if we can get her back, we get her back'," Skinner said.
"But we're just not going to rush her in this moment because it's a calf injury, it's your running mechanism. If we injure the running mechanism, it takes longer.
"So ideally we'd like her back for those games afterwards.
"The projection is she misses this game [Chelsea], she misses the international window, probably misses the first game after that, and then we'll see from there.
"But because it is such a short block of only three games, we'll assess whether it's worth that or actually resetting to come back after Christmas."
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