Despite massive speculations over his future, Bruce did remain in charge for the 3-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend.
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In a significant yet highly-anticipated development, manager Steve Bruce has left Newcastle United by mutual consent on Wednesday. The former Manchester United defender was expected to be replaced after the Saudi Arabian-backed consortium, led by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), completed a reported £305m takeover of Newcastle on October 7. Despite massive speculations over his future, Bruce did remain in charge for the 3-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend. It was his 1,000th match as a manager, as non-executive chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and director Amanda Staveley watched on at St James’ Park. As a result of the weekend defeat, Newcastle are second from bottom in the Premier League table and are winless after their opening eight games of the season.
Bruce, who was appointed as the Magpies manager in July 2019, managed to finish in 13th and 12th in his two full seasons in charge. A statement from Newcastle on their website read: “Newcastle United can confirm that Steve Bruce has left his position as head coach by mutual consent. He leaves the Magpies after more than two years in charge, having steered the club to 13th and 12th-place finishes in the Premier League and reaching the quarter-final stage in both the Emirates FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his tenure. Newcastle United would like to place on record its gratitude to Steve for his contribution and wishes him well for the future.”
Meanwhile, Steve Bruce said in the statement, “I am grateful to everyone connected with Newcastle United for the opportunity to manage this unique football club. I would like to thank my coaching team, the players and the support staff in particular for all their hard work. There have been highs and lows, but they have given everything even in difficult moments and should be proud of their efforts.”
“This is a club with incredible support, and I hope the new owners can take it forward to where we all want it to be. I wish everyone the very best of luck for the rest of this season and beyond.”
Graeme Jones will lead the team on an interim basis, starting with Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace, and will be supported by the coaching team of Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence, Ben Dawson and Simon Smith, the statement added. “The process of recruiting a new head coach is under way and an appointment will be announced in due course. The club will not be making further comment at this time,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Steve Bruce, 60, has suggested that this could very well be his last job. After his departure, he told The Telegraph, “I think this might be my last job. It’s not just about me; it’s taken its toll on my whole family because they are all Geordies and I can’t ignore that.”
“They have been worried about me… especially my wife Jan. What an amazing woman she is, incredible, she’s just a fantastic woman, wife and mother and grandmother. She dealt with the death of my parents, hers have not been very well. And then she had me to worry about and what I’ve been going through the last couple of years.
“I can’t take her for granted, she has spent her whole life following me around from football club to football club and if I was to say to her tomorrow, I’ve been offered a job in China, or anywhere, she would say, ‘Steve, is this right for you, do you want to do it?’ And she’d back me again.
“I’m 60 years old and I don’t know if I want to put her through it again. We’ve got a good life so, yeah, this will probably be me done as a manager – until I get a phone call from a chairman somewhere asking if I can give them a hand. Never say never, I’ve learnt that.”
