Rotherham United v Chesterfield: Alex Bruce on his 'ringside seat' into football management
BEING a football manager’s wife means that evenings can be quiet during the working week.
Alex Bruce’s mum Janet - the ‘other half’ of his famous footballing father Steve - has grown quite used to that over many years with her husband on the managerial circuit for just over a quarter of a century.
Bruce senior may now be winding down, but he’s still getting out of the house to attend midweek matches, providing an extra pair of eyes for his son - and Rotherham United manager - in the process. It’s in the blood after all.
He was spotted with his lad at Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night, with the Millers chief checking out their Carabao Cup meeting with Sheffield United. A known transfer target, Louie Marsh started for the Blades.
Bruce junior was at a game in the North East on the previous evening, doing his due diligence on players as all managers do. It’s something that his own ‘missus’ will have to get familiar with.
Bruce said: "I like going out and watching games. I don't know how pleased the wife is with it all!
"I like going out and getting some games in and getting to know the players that are out there.
"That's what it's all about, really. It's been a busy week, but I'm looking forward to Saturday now.
"People will see us (Bruce and his father) out at games together; it's nothing more than him just coming to get out of the house and get out from under my mum's feet at the minute, to be honest with you. I think he's driving her mad!
"He's an experienced campaigner, to take him out and watch games and look at players, he's not a bad person to have alongside me and keep me company in the car."
For the Millers boss, management was always the natural progression after ending his playing days. It felt right.
Just like his father, he was a centre-half and akin to his ‘old man’, he is now in the dug-out.
The similarities don’t end there with the pair starting out in EFL management in South Yorkshire. Steve began across the Tinsley Viaduct at Bramall Lane.
The Rotherham chief continued: "I've been in a fortunate situation where football's been my life, obviously, with the background that I've got.
"I've had ringside seats into what management is. I've had a few people say to me, 'You must be mad, you're going greyer'.
"I've had that; ‘you've grown a few more wrinkles and you look a bit tired’...
"It is what it is, but I love it, I wouldn't change it for the world and I'm proud to be here, I'm proud to be in the position that I am in.
"And I just hope I can grab the opportunity and be successful.”
Three matches in - taking in the Millers’ first-round EFL Cup tie - Bruce is still awaiting his maiden competitive victory, always one for the scrapbook for any young manager.
There has been some encouragement in league meetings against Cheltenham and York City, but no three points yet.
In mitigation, Bruce is putting together a new-look side which will take time to fully assimilate. The number of new signings since he arrived in late June is into double figures.
He is grateful for the backing of the club - the transfer window closes on Tuesday evening at 11pm - and is confident that a good, proper side in the best traditions of Rotherham United side will be forged. It will take a bit of time, that said.
On a frenetic rush of transfer activity in the second half of the summer, Bruce continued: "It needed to happen, didn't it? We all know that.
"There's been a lot of hard work to get the squad to where it is. I'm pleased with what we've done and the business that's gone on.
"Let's hope now that we can gel together. With a lot of hard work and a lot of organisation, I'm sure they'll do OK."
The Millers renew acquaintances with old rivals Chesterfield at league level today after a 13-year absence and Bruce renews acquaintances with two people he knows well in Spireites chief Paul Cook - who he played under at Wigan Athletic - and ex-team mate Gary Roberts, who is first-team coach.
Bumping into familiar faces is likely to be a regular trend in what he hopes will be a long and successful managerial career.
Bruce, 41, added: "That's always the way. You've got Paul and Gary Roberts, who was a team-mate of mine at Ipswich for a long time.
"He's a good friend of mine, so I look forward to seeing Robbo, but I'm looking forward to taking him on as well."
For the second weekend in a row, the away stand will be packed out with visiting supporters.
A club-record away league following of just under 2,500 provided backing for York City seven days ago and Chesterfield will also be roared on by big numbers in an packed-out away end today.