Yahoo News Steve Bruce reveals biggest Hull City regret after incredible four-year spell
Steve Bruce admits his biggest regret during his success-laden four years at Hull City was the club's European campaign which ended in play-off defeat at the play-off stage of the Europa League.
Bruce, who guided City to two promotions to the Premier League and an FA Cup final during his stint with the East Yorkshire club, has been reflecting on his time in the latest episode of the 1904 Club podcast.
The 63-year-old says picking a weakened team in the defeat to Belgian side Lokeren will live with him as one of the biggest mistakes he made during a spell which went down in history as the most successful in City's 120-year history.
READ MORE: Ex-Hull City hero Jarrod Bowen discusses England win over Serbia at Euro 2024
City qualified for the qualifying rounds of the competition after losing the FA Cup final to Arsenal in 2014, and saw off Slovak outfit FK AS Trencin to set up the tie with Lokeren, with the Tigers going out on the away goals rule.
"The biggest regret I had was really not taking on Europe," Bruce told the 1904 Club. "I knew we had to leave the building really, really early because we just didn't have the resources or the manpower to be able to cope. My whole theory on the FA Cup changed - I remember when we played Sunderland and Sunderland put out their reserves in the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
"I remember getting the teamsheet and they've just put their reserves out, they were really ditching the FA Cup to stay in the Premier League and low and behold, when I think back on it now, I should have gone stronger to try and stay in Europe, rather than being sucked into this 'oh I've got to stay in the Premier League' - there's too many games and all the rest of it.
"Yes, I made mistakes along the way but that was one of them really. Our venture into Europe really didn't last very long, unfortunately. Looking back, it was a mistake and you have to hold your hands up. But hey, Hull in Europe? Absolutely fantastic. Arguably, in management, how could it have been any better in the four years, it was terrific."
You can download the full podcast with City's legendary ex-boss talking about England's 1-0 win over Serbia at Euro 2024, his hopes for the future and much more using the links below or listen to it right here...
