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Downie: Bruce under consideration

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Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has said that Steve Bruce is under consideration for the manager job at Newcastle. 

Mike Ashley is on the hunt for a new manager after Rafa Benitez left when his contract expired at the end of June.

Bruce was backed into favourite with major bookies on Monday night with Mikel Arteta just behind him.

Downie mentioned that Bruce was born in Newcastle and previously managed Sunderland.

VERDICT

Bruce admitted afterwards that it was a mistake taking the Sunderland job. Talking after he was sacked in 2011 he said, “In hindsight maybe going there was a mistake, being a Newcastle fan as a boy…some would never forgive that. I wouldn’t say it was the utmost reason but for a lot of them, they couldn’t hack that.” That should stand him in good stead although some Newcastle fans could never countenance a former Sunderland boss taking charge. The main problem most Newcastle fans would have, though, is that Bruce isn’t progressive enough, or successful enough as a manager. Newcastle would be the biggest job that he’s had after stints at Aston Villa and Hull, and the 58-year-old is currently with Sheffield Wednesday. Would lack of control over transfers under Mike Ashley put him off? Former Wednesday manager Brian Laws said he was certain Bruce would have only taken the job if he was given full control over transfers. However, the Newcastle job would be a way back into the big time for Bruce and he might be willing to work under Ashley’s conditions. It wouldn’t be the most popular choice on Tyneside but it sounds like he’s in the frame. 

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