Jonathan Greenwood and Sam Mulliner were recently joined by journalist and television presenter Pete Graves on Newcastle Fans TV to discuss all of the latest Newcastle United news and they spent some time talking about Toon boss Steve Bruce’s style of management.
Bruce took the reins at St. James’ Park back in July 2019, following the departure of Rafael Benitez. In his first season in charge of his boyhood club, Bruce guided the Toon to a 13th place finish in England’s top-flight, which is the same place that they finished in the league table the season prior under Benitez.
However, Bruce has got his critics amongst the Newcastle United faithful, many of whom are yet to warm to the 59-year-old since he took over from ‘fans’ favourite’ Benitez.
During his recent appearance on Newcastle Fans TV, Graves shed some light on Bruce’s style of management and explained how he differs from his predecessor, saying: “Rafa was not necessarily one that puts his arm around players and that players feel warmth from like Sir Bobby – I think Steve Bruce is quite like that. I think the players really like Steve Bruce as a person, he puts his arm around them.
“I hate seeing him get grief because he is a really, really top guy and the players do like him as well – I’ll tell you that for a fact, they do like him.
“He’s a very different type of manager to Rafa, who’s a tactical genius, but Steve Bruce, he’s more of a Sir Bobby in that he’s someone to put his arm around a player and encourage.
“He’s certainly one who can make the players feel good about themselves.”
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TIF Thoughts on what Graves had to say about Bruce…
So, judging by what Graves had to say, it seems that while plenty of the North East club’s fans are yet to warm to Bruce, the Toon squad are in favour of the 59-year-old, who seems to have won them over with his man-management skills.
It’s clear from what he had to say that Graves thinks there are significant differences between Bruce and Benitez, with the journalist likening the current Newcastle boss more to legendary Toon boss Sir Bobby Robson in terms of his style and indicating that Benitez has got more tactical know-how than Bruce.
Perhaps the fact that Bruce does appear to differ so much from Benitez is one reason why some Newcastle fans have not gotten on board with the 59-year-old since he took over at the club, however, perhaps having the players onside, as he seemingly does, will help him to deliver positive results on the pitch and if so, then it will be interesting to see if this helps him to eventually win the fans over.