Steve Bruce has been assured that he will be given time and support by the Newcastle United hierarchy this season, no matter how the club starts the Premier League campaign, according to Chronicle journalist Mark Douglas.
The 58-year-old took the helm at St. James’ Park after Rafa Benitez departed the club earlier this summer, and reactions to his appointment have been mixed.
But the Magpies’ board are willing to stand by their man.
Writing in a piece for the Chronicle, Douglas said: “Steve Bruce has been assured he will get time and support this season – with Newcastle United prepared to back the new head coach whatever comes in the next few weeks.
“The Magpies boss is one of the favourites to be sacked first in the Premier League but the United hierarchy have stressed to him that he has time and they won’t rush to judgement whatever happens in the opening weeks of the season.”
OPINION
It’s one thing for a club to say that they are going to stand by a manager, but it’s quite another for them to actually do it. The issue that the Magpies face is that tensions are so high amongst their fanbase that as soon as Bruce loses a couple of games, the supporters are going to get on his back. That in itself presents issues. If the club then sack him off immediately, they will be right back to square one, and they’ll have broken their promise to Bruce. If they persevere with him through a poor run, not only do they risk relegation, but it would also go some way to confirming suspicions that he was brought in not for his abilities as a boss, but rather because he would be a yes man for Mike Ashley. In short, the club cannot win from this point onwards, unless Bruce himself starts winning for them.
