Bruce: I've proved critics wrong
Bruce will be looking to the youngsters next season
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Monday, 30, Apr 2007 08:33
Steve Bruce says guiding Birmingham City to the Premiership has been the toughest job in his management career.
The Blues clinched automatic promotion along with Sunderland yesterday after Derby lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace.
Bruce had survived calls for him to be sacked earlier in the season to steer the Midlands club back to the top-flight at the first attempt.
And the ex-Manchester United star revealed this season has been a huge emotion strain.
"It's fantastic to go back up but this has been my hardest and most difficult season in management," Bruce said.
"We've hardly been out of the top six, been top of the table eight times and yet we seem to have been in crisis.
"Being relegated is horrible and you've got to get the faith back of the supporters, and the people who employ you. For myself, I had to try and restore a bit of my reputation."
Birmingham were relegated in the 2005/06 season after finishing 18th, just four points away from safety.
And Bruce believes his achievements this season has proven the boo-boys wrong.
"There have been a load of fans who wanted me through the door and only a few weeks ago the fans were chanting 'you don't know what you are doing' during one game," he continued.
"But now they might look at the bigger picture and think 'he hasn't done a bad job again'."
"People don't realise the enormity of letting 18 players go and I could still reel them off the tongue now.
"To try and rebuild the squad quickly and to do it given what we wanted to achieve, essentially young players sprinkled with a little bit of experience, was a tough call."
The Blues will be looking to win the Championship with victory in next Sunday's clash with Preston at Deepdale.