Steve Bruce has entered St James’ Park, signed his Newcastle contract, and boarded a plane to China to link up with the first-team during our pre-season tour in Asia. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss’ arrival on Tyneside is still not being taken well by some corners of the Toon fanbase though, and a stat highlighting his record in the top-flight is giving them even more cause for concern.
Over the course of his managerial career in the Premier League, Bruce has taken charge of 393 top-flight encounters, but has won just 27.98% of the fixtures overseen. That is the second-worst strike-rate of any manager in the history of the Premier League.
The only head coach to have taken fewer top-flight points while also managing more than 250 games was Bryan Robson, who won 26.29% of his 251 fixtures in the dugout.
Making up the top-five are Gordon Strachan, with a 29.88% win-rate, Tony Pulis, with a 30.43%, and current Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez, who won 30.56% of his games while in charge of Wigan Athletic and Everton.
Newcastle will also be the eleventh side Bruce has taken charge of since stepping off the field as a player and sitting in the manager’s seat, completing a hat-trick of rivalry doubles, having managed Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United, Aston Villa and Birmingham.
Bruce has not taken charge of a top-flight game since being relegated with Hull City in 2015, despite leading the Tigers to Championship Play-Off success the following season.
Here’s what these Newcastle supporters had to say on Bruce holding the second-worst win-rate of any manager to have taken charge of more than 250 Premier League games…
You take this and add it to the fact that the last time he was even in the Premier League was in 2015 (4 whole years ago). How the hell did he even get the job?
— Robert Tennyson (@Tenno98) July 17, 2019
When Gordon Strachan has a better record than you then you know that you should probably quit.
— Jason Miller (@rough_justice76) July 17, 2019
Well he will improve that league table by the end of the season top I reckon, unfortunately sport direct FC will be bottom of the Premier league
— blenks46 (@blenks46) July 17, 2019
He’ll be top of that league by the end of the season ????
— . (@raynufc1892) July 17, 2019
Ian Holloway by Christmas…
— BillyNeeMates#GTTO#WebackCorbyn#PCPEu (@Billyneemates) July 17, 2019
Should show this to @LukeEdwardsTele and then ask him what Bruce has done to justify being given a chance by anyone.
— Michael Hedström (@M_Chicky_Chater) July 17, 2019
Steve Bruce’s managerial record:
???? 10 clubs.
???? Resigned 7 times.
❌ Sacked 3 times.
0️⃣ Trophies.
???? No loyalty.
⬇️ No ambition.
???? Pie eater.— Lewis Henderson (@Lew_Henderson) July 17, 2019