"I’m a little bit biased" - Steve Bruce reveals exciting Birmingham City prediction | OneFootball

Bruce believes his old club could challenge for promotion again next season

Steve Bruce believes Birmingham City have the foundations to mount yet another promotion bid as they return to the Championship next season.

The 64-year-old delivered such thoughts prior to seeing Chris Davies' side dominate his Blackpool team at Bloomfield Road, with a 2-0 scoreline courtesy of goals from Ethan Laird and Alfie May seeing Blues add the cherry on top of an already impressive cake for this term, becoming the all-time EFL points record holders with a tally of 108.

Bruce, of course, knows the feeling of success and momentum at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park extremely well, having delivered two promotions from the second-tier into the Premier League, as well as many memorable moments in the top-flight during his tenure between 2001 and 2007, which came after a two-season stint as a player under Trevor Francis in the late 1990s.

And, he believes Birmingham have the ability to challenge the division's big-hitters as a result of an already impressive squad which looks set to be improved once more due to the well-documented backing of Knighthead Capital Management.

Steve Bruce delivers potential Birmingham City, back-to-back promotions claim

Many comparisons have been made between the current Blues outfit, who have now won 43 of their 59 games in all competitions, and Kieran McKenna's Ipswich Town side, who became the first team in 12 years to rise from the third-tier and straight into the Premier League between 2023 and 2024.

Bruce has overseen 1071 games during a lengthy managerial career, with no other boss achieving as many promotions to the top-flight than his combined four, which came in the West Midlands and at Hull City, and he also believes Davies' men are the League One equivalent of Wolves' 2017/18 Championship-winning squad.

“I said Birmingham would win it by 20 points, they are the outstanding team in our league - it reminds (me) of when we were in the Championship and Wolves had that wonderful team,” he said.

“Fair play to them, they’ve had a big budget, but the manager has done very well with a group of players that are easily at a different level. Expectation brings its own pressure, but Chris has handled himself.

“You can only stand back and applaud them. I’m a little bit biased because I had 10 years of my career there, so they are one (team) I always look out for. They’ve been in the doldrums, but now they’re a different club. Fair play to the new owners, I hope it continues for them.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they did the double because I think they’re ready to go again. They’ve got a bit of momentum and the nucleus of a very good side. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve got two or three other things up their sleeve that will only improve them," Bruce stated.

Birmingham City will target a strong season in the Championship

As Bruce alluded to, Tom Wagner hasn't shied away from his ambition in the upcoming transfer window, recently hinting that the club-record fee which was parted with to secure Jay Stansfield's services on a long-term, permanent contract, could be slashed.

The American also referenced how Blues' revenue streams are projected to rival those of Ipswich, Leicester City and Southampton heading into next season, with reports also claiming that they and fellow promotion-winners, Wrexham, are expected to target similar players to those freshly relegated from the Premier League, emphasised by a potential reunion with former hotshot, Che Adams.

Add to this the continued hopes of a new 60,000-seater stadium and Sports Quarter complex just a stone's throw from the club's spiritual home, and the future continues to look very rosy for the Bluenoses, who will hope their former boss' claim comes to fruition in the next 12 months.