Blackpool sack veteran boss Bruce after poor start

Blackpool have sacked veteran boss Steve Bruce after one year in charge following a poor start to the League One season.

The 64-year-old, who has managed over 1,000 games, replaced Neil Critchley at Bloomfield Road in September 2024.

He guided them to a ninth-placed finish last season and hopes were high for a promotion push this time around.

However, Saturday's home defeat by AFC Wimbledon was a seventh defeat in 11 league games and left them second from bottom.

Assistant head coach Steve Agnew and first-team coach Stephen Clemence have also left the club with coaches Stephen Dobbie and Steve Banks put in interim charge until a replacement is appointed.

Bruce said his side "were nowhere near what's required" as they were booed off following the 2-0 home defeat by AFC Wimbledon.

"I can try and make as many excuses as I want but it's not in my nature to do it," he told Bruce to BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Today we were nowhere near what's required of what we need to be and for that I need to take responsibility."