Ryan Taylor has revealed that he’d be amazed if Newcastle United got rid of Steve Bruce.
What’s the story?
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the former Toon star revealed he would be shocked were Mike Ashley to opt to sack the 60-year-old at this stage in the campaign.
Despite an awful season for the club, Bruce is thought to retain the Sports Direct mogul’s support even amid suggestions he could turn to the recently departed former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder.
Talking ahead of the Brighton game, Taylor said he thinks Bruce will remain in his post until the end of the season.
“There’s ten games to go, ten huge cup finals if you like,” he said.
“Graeme Jones has just come into the club, he’s not been there a long time. He’s only just settling in.
“Steve’s got a lot of experience so I’d be amazed if the club and the ownership took responsibility if Newcastle lost tonight in getting rid of Steve.
“Is it the right thing to do? Unsettle the dressing room and unsettle the club again with just ten games to go? I don’t know.”
Should we be surprised?
Well, Ashley has previously sacked Steve McClaren after realising his side were staring a potential relegation in the face back in 2016 though it does seem different this time.
With the club surely losing money by way of playing in front of an empty stadium, Bruce is believed to be in line for a big compensation package were he to lose his job and – given he’s admitted his remit is to keep the team in the Premier League – it’s not as if he’s failing on that front at the moment.
That is not a defence of the man but, looking at it from Ashley’s perspective, you can see the logic.
The Verdict
With even Alan Shearer describing the club as a ‘hollow shell’ of its former self, it’s a wonder if actually changing manager would do much for the club in the long-term. Someone such as Wilder might just about lead them to safety at best but, right now, it’s not clear as to what would happen after that.
Given an elite level coach in Rafa Benitez has spoken openly about the lack of ambition from the club’s hierarchy, it’s hard to imagine anyone of that level returning anytime soon.
