Former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has been discussing his possible retirement from management.

Former Sunderland and Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce believes his time in the dugout has come to an end - but stressed he could ‘never say never’ over a possible return to the touchline.

The former Manchester United defender spent just over two years in charge of the Black Cats between 2009 and 2011 before going on to spend time in charge of the likes of Hull City, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday over the following seasons. Bruce returned to the North East with Newcastle during the summer of 2019 but departed in the aftermath of a Saudi-led takeover at St James Park in October 2021.

After spending time with West Bromwich Albion and Blackpool in recent seasons, Bruce was in the frame to move into international management with Jamaica before the role went to former England head coach Steve McClaren. Now out of work since leaving Blackpool in October last year, Bruce has hinted his time as a manager could be over.

He told The Overlap and Betfair’s Stick to Cricket show: “I can never say never, but I honestly believe that I've had my time in management now. I thoroughly enjoyed it and still love it to this day, but I think there comes a time when you have to call it. You never say never; maybe something like an international job. I had a conversation with Ireland a few years ago, and would you believe, before Steve McClaren, I had a chat with the Jamaican FA. They went for Steve McClaren in the end.”

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