OPINION
Newcastle United fans will surely jump for joy after seeing that Steve Bruce is completely unaware of any interest from the managerless Tyneside club.
According to Sky Sports, Newcastle are considering Bruce, 58, as a potential replacement for Rafa Benitez in the St James’ Park dugout even though he is a former Sunderland manager.
Bruce has been in charge of Sheffield Wednesday since the start of this year after being sacked by Aston Villa earlier on last season.
The Newcastle-born boss is adamant that he has not heard anything from the Magpies just yet, in what is no doubt a major relief for the Toon Army.
“It’s news to me,” Bruce told the Sheffield Star.
“God only knows what happened on Tuesday afternoon. There seemed to be an upsurge (in the betting) from somewhere.
“John Terry was favourite (for the job) yesterday. It was Mikel Arteta the day before so who knows.
“As far as I am concerned, I am here, I am going home tomorrow and looking forward to walking the dog!”
After news broke on Tuesday that Newcastle were interested in Bruce, there were a lot of fans on Twitter who was furious with the club’s interest in the former Sunderland manager.
It’s not a surprise due to the massive rivalry between Newcastle and Sunderland, but there were also huge doubts about whether Bruce is even good enough for a job at a big Premier League club.
Bruce has had a decent managerial career, but he is always seen as someone who is managing at either the top-end of the Championship or for teams who are struggling against relegation in the Premier League.
While Newcastle, due to their lack of transfers and leadership with just weeks to go until the season kicks off, could be a team that is fighting for their lives in the top-flight next season, Bruce is simply someone that they shouldn’t want to be associated with.
The ex-Manchester United defender’s style of football is an eyesore and even though he had one of the best squads in the Championship with Aston Villa last season, he still managed to get sacked while they were 12th in the table before Dean Smith eventually won promotion.
Bruce has history of managing rival clubs.
He’s been in charge of Aston Villa and Birmingham and Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday.
It would seem that managing both Sunderland and Newcastle would be extremely hated by the supporters of the latter.
Thankfully this interview with Bruce suggests that he is nowhere near close to becoming the next Magpies boss.
