Criticism of Newcastle manager Bruce tough to take, says son Alex

Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park, Newcastle on October 17, 2021
Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park, Newcastle on October 17, 2021
Image: SCOTT HEPPELL / REUTERS

Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has been made the "fall guy" at the Premier League club and the criticism he has faced since being appointed in 2019 has been difficult to take, the 60-year-old's son Alex said.

Bruce has endured a largely difficult time after he replaced fan-favourite Rafa Benitez and speculation is rife that he is on his way out following the team's takeover by a Saudi Arabia-led consortium this month.

He vowed to carry on for as long as the new owners wanted him to following a 3-2 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in his 1000th match as a manager.

"It's been tough. I wouldn't sit here and lie and say it hasn't, it's been tough to watch the criticism," Alex Bruce, who played in the Premier League with Hull City, told the BBC.

"Since he took the job ... the lack of respect that's been shown considering he's done 1,000 games has been unbelievable."

Alex Bruce said his father was not given opportunities to bring in reinforcements by former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

"He had an owner who was trying to sell the club," Alex Bruce said. "An owner who didn't really want to put any money of his own into the club for a number of reasons, he could only use the money the club generated and with the Covid-19 pandemic there wasn't any money there.

"He tried to strengthen the squad in the last window. They desperately needed reinforcements in defensive areas, I think he was very frustrated he couldn't do that, so there's been a number of things that have made the job difficult.

"He has been the fall guy. The amount of times I've said to him, 'Why don't you let someone else do the press?' And he just says, 'Because I'm the manager, it's my responsibility'."

Frustrated fans chanted for Bruce to be sacked and the game ended with boos from large sections of the home crowd as Newcastle remained winless in the league and second from bottom with three points from eight games.

"It's not easy ... I understand their frustration and how they've been for a long time... (but) I'm never going to chuck it when we are up against it and in the bottom three, that's not me," said Bruce.

"That (whether I stay) is for other people to decide. Ever since I have walked into this club of ours it is difficult. I knew how difficult was going to be with the frustrations. I will carry on as best I can until I hear otherwise," the manager told the BBC.

"The owners have conducted themselves respectfully since they came in. As long as I hear otherwise, I will go into work tomorrow."

Bruce has been speculated to be on his way out ever since Newcastle were taken over by a Saudi Arabia-led consortium this month, but the new owners earlier this week gave him a vote of confidence, saying that "change did not happen overnight".

"My job is to get a few results. Unfortunately this year, if you're a manager in the Premier League and you haven't won in seven or eight, you come under pressure... it's a big league for big boys," added Bruce.

"The people of Newcastle want to see the club move forward. All I've ever wanted was to see this great club of ours move forward, but that's going to take a bit of time." - Reuters

 

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