Steve Bruce speculates why ex-West Brom chief fled Hawthorns in a thinly veiled Guochuan Lai jab.

Stevens Bruce has suggested that Ron Gourlay’s departure from West Bromwich Albion in 2023 may have been influenced by the challenges of his role as chief executive, subtly hinting at issues with club owner Guochuan Lai. Bruce expressed hope that the club can now progress after a period of stagnation, particularly with Shilen Patel acquiring a majority shareholding from Lai.

Bruce emphasized the importance of strong leadership at the top of a football club, noting the difficulties faced by various stakeholders in the absence of clear direction. He speculated that Gourlay likely found the situation challenging, leading to his eventual departure.

The instability at West Bromwich Albion in recent years has hindered the club’s progress, with financial issues and off-field concerns affecting on-field performance and potential promotion to the Premier League. However, Bruce acknowledged the positive impact of Carlos Corberan’s management in maintaining stability until the recent ownership change.

With the change in ownership and renewed optimism, West Bromwich Albion aims to use this momentum to pursue promotion back to the Premier League. In related news, a former player has addressed his controversial departure from the club.