Former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce, who has managed in the Premier League with the likes of Newcastle United, Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic, lost little Madison last year
The death of Steve Bruce’s four-month-old grandson Madison has been ruled as “an accident” by police, according to reports.
Since the baby was found dead in his home in October, police have investigated the circumstances and arrested a woman in her 40s – thought to be working as a nanny – on suspicion of child neglect. However, the probe has now ended as officers have deemed the death be to be a tragic accident. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “While the circumstances are tragic, we don’t believe any criminality was linked to this death.”
Bruce’s daughter Amy gave birth to Madison last year, after conceiving with her husband Matt Smith, also a former footballer having played for the likes of Leeds United, Millwall and Fulham. Bruce, 64, took compassionate leave as manager of Blackpool when Madison died, returning before Christmas, reports The Sun.
Steve Bruce releases heartbreaking statement on Blackpool return after death of grandson
Speaking this week in his first interview about the family tragedy, former Manchester United defender Bruce said he considered walking away from football following the death.
But the determined coach has helped Blackpool mount a late playoff charge in League 1 as, with eight games to go this season, the Tangerines find themselves among a string of teams vying to sneak into the top six. They are seven points off Huddersfield Town in sixth but are on a good run of form.
In the poignant interview with The Athletic, Bruce, who managed Newcastle for two years, said: “There were times when I thought about not coming back. I’m sure people would’ve totally understood but sometimes football has given me a little bit of an escape from it all.
“It’s been the tragedy of all tragedies. Anyone going through the same sort of grief, I feel for them. It’s horrendous that a fine, young, healthy baby boy doesn’t wake up one morning…. We’ll never come to terms with that. It’s agony.”
Bruce praised the support of bosses at Blackpool for their compassion following the tragedy. It happened just weeks after he took the job at Bloomfield Road, following nearly two years out of the game. The former Birmingham City boss’ next assignment is a tough tie against Bolton Wanderers, who currently sit seventh in the division and were in excellent form until losing their last two matches. The Tangerines then face Reading – another in-form side also in the promotion hunt – as Bruce looks to secure a firmer grip on a playoff threat.
