Newcastle United head coach Steve Bruce is looking to have more of an input in the club’s youth teams after Neil Redfearn’s departure, according to The Chronicle.
The newspaper claims that the Magpies boss is eager to get more involved in the Under-23s set-up, particularly after Redfearn suddenly left his post as second string boss last week.
Former Newcastle chief Rafael Benitez took a ‘step back’ from the club’s youth set-up during his time in charge, but Bruce has been keen to get in amongst it.
He has been a regular at U-23 games this season, and is looking to have a say in who replaces Redfearn. Ideally he would like to see three or four youngsters pushing for first team involvement at a time.
OPINION
This is good to read about Bruce. Clearly he relishes being in charge of Newcastle, and he wants to have a say on everything that’s going on at the club. Benitez was obviously happy for Ben Dawson to have free rein with the U-23s over the last few years and, while that worked out, Bruce has wanted to get more involved. He feels that there is a wellspring of talent in the north east, and he doesn’t want to miss out on any of it. That’s a good thing, because historically there has always been plenty of quality players coming through from that region. Bruce himself is a product of the famous Wallsend Boys Club. Obviously Redfearn leaving suddenly last week was a big blow to the youth set-up at St James’ Park, but it gives Bruce the opportunity to have an input in who the club appoints as his replacement. Is this giving too much power to a head coach who might not be at the club this time next season? Possibly, but that’s a risk you have to take.
