OUT OF MY HANDS
Newcastle are staying up but will Bruce be staying on? He says: It’s too early for me to retire but that’s a question for others to decide
STEVE BRUCE admits there’s no guarantee he will be Newcastle boss next season – as he faces up to trial by fans.
The Geordie says there will be “big discussion” at the end of the season about the turbulent situation on Tyneside, despite leading the club away from relegation.
Veteran Bruce will look at the situation seriously if he’s getting so much flak from St James’ Park supporters that it hampers his players.
The 60-year-old will hold an end-of-season review with owner Mike Ashley (right) and chief executive Lee Charnley at the end of the month. Ashley is likely to want him to continue as boss after he helped keep the Toon in the Premier League for next season, after negotiating a couple of major crisis points in the campaign.
But Bruce has been hugely unpopular this season with fans on social media, and he will face them from the dugout for the first time in 14 months next week against Sheffield United.
Asked if he’d be the Newcastle boss next season, Bruce said: “It is for others to decide. Most clubs will have discussions and review the season.
“I’m a football person and it is still too early to retire. But that is conversations other people will have.” Bruce, though, has appeared to leave an element of doubt if terrace unrest off the pitch hinders results on it.
He said: “We are always one dip away from that situation and it is something I will have to think very long and hard about.
“You have to accept criticism, it is part and parcel of it, but I think at times has been unjust.
“I have always said to try and judge me when I have a fit squad. It is difficult about the expectation that is still there.
“I thought the easy thing would be to say I’m not enjoying this anymore and I will walk away. That has never been me. I wanted to batten down the hatches and make sure Newcastle are safe this season.”
Bruce has thanked owner Ashley for his support this season and said: “When you are up against it and you need support, Mike has been steadfast. As a manager that is what you want. Not when you win, that it is the easy bit. When you get battered from pillar to post you need some reassurance.”
Bruce has called for the takeover by Saudi Arabia to be approved so the club can move on, accepting he probably wouldn’t stay in charge if the £305million deal was approved.
He added: “The takeover, we were all disappointed, and no one more than Mike.
“You are selling to Saudi Arabia who will then generate the income, and we have seen what happened with the likes of Man City.
“Until that happens I will do my best for the club. Mike wants to sell and for everyone’s sake that would be the best thing.”