Newcastle United journalist Liam Kennedy has discussed Steve Bruce’s future at the club following recent views from supporters.
Things are certainly not going well for Bruce on Tyneside at the moment. The team are yet to win a game at all this season and currently sit 19th in the Premier League.
On top of that, a recent survey by the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust revealed that 94.3% of members think “Steve Bruce should walk away from his post in the best interests of Newcastle United”.
Kennedy spoke about Bruce’s future on the latest edition of NUFC Matters, and when asked by host Steve Wraith on what would have to happen for Bruce to be relieved of his duties, he had the following to say on the matter:
“I think the pressure will go up and there will be a lot more questions asked and there might be some more of the behind-closed-doors meetings and words had, but I still don’t think he loses his job.
“But that’s just my opinion on the things that I hear and the behaviours of Newcastle United. I don’t believe he’s as close as a lot of people seem to think he is. If he is close, it’s more coming from Steve Bruce’s side than it is coming from the club side.”
TIF Thoughts on Liam Kennedy’s comments about Steve Bruce at Newcastle United…
Do you think Steve Bruce will be Newcastle manager by the end of the season?
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No
It has been noted in the past just how hesitant Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has been in getting rid of Bruce, despite how perilous the club have come to relegation, so Kennedy is right to be cautious and to suggest that even if things get drastic, the club won’t be that quick to dismiss him.
It does make you wonder just how bad things have to get at St. James’ Park for the club to consider letting him go. Given that he has only won 28 of his 96 games at the club – a rate of just 29% – it doesn’t make for good reading. When you consider that Steve McClaren was sacked after amassing 7 wins from 31 (a 23% win-rate), Bruce is dangerously close to hitting the same figure soon if results don’t pick up.
Their patience was rewarded last season as they did eventually stay in the division, but whether or not they will manage to get away with taking their time again this time around, with the club currently second from bottom in the league, will be interesting to see.
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