Steve Bruce believes he has the ‘near future’ to prove he can win over Newcastle’s new owners. The club’s new era started badly with a 3-2 defeat by Tottenham on Sunday, reportedly leaving Bruce’s job on the line.
The 60-year-old was widely expected to be dismissed in the aftermath of the eye-watering £305million takeover, completed by a consortium fronted by Amanda Staveley and 80 per cent backed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
However, Bruce remained in his job for the weekend. On Friday, he hit out at journalists for reporting that he would depart prior to Sunday’s game.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson opened the scoring after just two minutes to seemingly get the club’s new owners off to a positive start.
But the North Londoners struck three times through Tanguy Ndombele, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. Eric Dier scored a late own goal but Bruce’s side could not force an equaliser.
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has made a prediction about his future after defeat by Tottenham (Image: GETTY)
Defeat by Spurs is unlikely to have enamored Newcastle’s new owners, nor a supporter base for whom Bruce is a symbol of the unpopular regime of Mike Ashley.
The Daily Mail have reported that the former Manchester United defender will soon be replaced in the dugout.
Several names have been linked with succeeding Bruce, from out-of-work Frank Lampard and Eddie Howe, to Rangers boss Steven Gerrard and Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers.
But Bruce appears to think that he will be given some time to win over Staveley and her business partners despite his side currently sitting in 19th in the Premier League and without a win in eight matches.
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Sunday’s result was Newcastle’s fifth defeat of the campaign and Bruce will need to turn things around fast if he is to remain in his job.
"It's a big league for big boys and I'll crack on until I hear otherwise. Every football club needs clarity, from the top right the way through,” Bruce told journalists.
"The new owners have been very respectful. I can't say enough [positive words] of them, the way they've gone about their business.