… if you ask Steve Bruce at least.
Former Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has opened up on his time at Newcastle in a recent interview, revealing that he would have likely retired were it not for the “ridicule” he faced during his spell at his boyhood club.
The Shields Gazette have Bruce’s full diatribe from FourFourTwo, where he practically takes credit for the takeover, saying “They [fans] wanted change, but I had a brief to keep the club in the Premier League, and we finished 12th and 13th in my first two full seasons. I know we weren’t entertaining or attractive to watch. I’ll hold my hands up (to that).
“We were pragmatic, defensive. I did what I had to do. Would the same to the new owners have gone ahead if the club was in the Championship? I’m not so sure.”
Fans took a lot of stick in the media for how they treated Steve Bruce – and some of it was warranted stick as some fans took things way too far = but for the most part, the criticism fans levelled at Bruce was justified. A feeling that was confirmed by the fact that Eddie Howe came in and transformed the club, guiding the team to an 11th place finish with mostly the same squad.
Of course, Bruce acknowledges this saying “Eddie’s had a lot more money to spend than I ever did, but he’s brought in some good players and improved the team.” Unfortunately for Bruce, Newcastle fans aren’t stupid and know full well that the upturn in fortunes since Howe’s arrival is down to a lot more than just having more money to spend and this can be proven with just one word ….. Joelinton!
When Steve Bruce took over at West Brom we thought he was their problem, but he just keeps coming back for more, playing the victim completely oblivious to his own failings. Let’s see where West Brom finish next season and if Bruce lasts the whole campaign.