Former Premier League boss Steve Bruce’s name thrown into the hat to replace Rafael Benitez at Newcastle, according to Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards.
The Magpies have begun the search for Benitez’s successor this week, after the Spaniard’s departure from the club was confirmed on Monday afternoon.
Speaking on talkSPORT’s Hawksbee and Jacobs programme [Monday, 1:20pm], Edwards – who covers North Eastern football for the Telegraph – said that Bruce, 58, who managed Wigan Athletic and Sunderland in the top flight, could be in contention for the job.
“The name that I think will emerge is Steve Bruce. [He’s] a Geordie, of course and he’s turned down the job twice before,” the journalist said.
“In a funny way I think Steve would be the sort of manager who would get on with [owner Mike] Ashley. They haven’t got a shortlist at the moment, but I think Steve Bruce will be on that shortlist.”
OPINION
This is a very interesting shout from Edwards, and Bruce’s name is one that could indeed be thrown into the ring. Who knows at this stage, though. The news is still so raw and Benitez’s departure still so fresh that Newcastle fans will not have had time to think about who they will get in to replace the Spaniard. But they – and the club – better start acting fast. Now that Benitez has gone, next season will be perhaps the most crucial one since the Magpies’ season in the Championship, when it was imperative that they got back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Next season, the question on everyone’s lips will be: Will whoever comes in be able to steady the ship and keep Newcastle on the course to developing as a club? Or will the club regress and go back to how they were a few seasons ago, fighting to beat off and recover from relegation?
