Former West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Bruce has revealed that his decision to substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante during a Championship match contributed to his eventual departure from the club.
Thomas-Asante joined West Brom from Salford City on deadline day in 2022 after making the jump from League Two, and he immediately made an impact by scoring a late equaliser on his debut against Burnley.
Bruce recalled how the Ghana international quickly became a fan favourite at The Hawthorns, with supporters embracing his work rate and attacking threat.
Speaking about the moment, Bruce said:
“I remember saying to him at West Brom, and it was a big, big occasion for him with all his family, and you could feel that hunger and desire.”
“After half an hour at West Brom, he became a cult hero all of a sudden. In fact, the reason why I got the sack really at West Brom was I took him off.”
The former Manchester United defender explained that supporters reacted angrily when he replaced Thomas-Asante during a goalless draw against Luton Town, chanting that he did not know what he was doing after the substitution.
Bruce had brought on Karlan Grant, a £15 million signing, as his replacement, but the decision did not go down well with the home crowd.
Thomas-Asante has since continued his career progression after leaving West Brom. The Ghanaian forward joined Coventry City, where he has established himself as an important attacking player and later earned recognition as one of the Championship’s top forwards.
His impressive performances eventually earned him a move to the Premier League, where he continues to represent Ghanaian talent at the highest level of English football.
From starting his professional career in the lower leagues with Salford City to becoming a Premier League player, Thomas-Asante’s journey remains one of the most remarkable rises in English football.
