Steve Bruce refuses to leave Newcastle not because of money, instead feels players need him – Report

Steve Bruce is now in his 27th month as Newcastle United Head Coach.

The 60 year old at every press conference saying that there is no way he will walk away from the job.

So why is he so determined to cling on to the job?

Newcastle United fans have two very strong opinions on Steve Bruce.

Firstly, they want him out of the job, as evidenced yet again on Tuesday, when a survey of thousands of Newcastle supporters by NUST showing a massive 95% want Steve Bruce to leave.

Secondly, Newcastle fans overwhelmingly clearly believe that Bruce refuses to resign because he will only be willing to leave if getting a massive pay-off. Which would only be forthcoming if getting sacked, rather than going willingly.

Luke Edwards is a close friend of Steve Bruce and his staunchest media supporter / apologist, on Wednesday morning he has given a very valuable insight into what Bruce claims are the reasons for wanting to stay on at Newcastle United…

The Toon Army India Twitter account posing this question on Steve Bruce to Luke Edwards:

“In your opinion, SHOULD Bruce walk away after these poll results? Not asking if he would, he probably won’t anyway. But want to know what you think a man who claims to be a boyhood NUFC fan should do under the circumstances.”

Luke Edwards of The Telegraph via Twitter:

“I think he should do whatever he decides to do.

“I’ve made my opinion clear several times.

“I urged him to walk away at the end of last season and again over the summer.

“He won’t quit, not because of money, but because he feels the team, staff and players need him.

“Up to him.”

When it comes to journalists writing about Steve Bruce, Mike Ashley, the players, or whatever, like most of you I am very sceptical with anything that claims to give any special insight.

However, whatever you think of Mr Edwards, I 100% believe that when he relays this kind of insight on Steve Bruce and his stance at any particular time, it is reliable. Reliable in terms of this is what Steve Bruce is telling his media mate. As to whether Brucey really is sticking it out because of these unlikely reasons (for the staff and players) rather than cash, only he (Steve Bruce) will know either way.

The response then from fans to what Luke Edwards had to say about Steve Bruce’s mindset / intentions:

Is Bruce gone yet?:

‘Staggering that he used those justifications after 7wins in 37games.

This is the problem with this management team and squad- he doesn’t expect much of them, they don’t expect much of him and it just snowballs into a vacuum of nothing while we sit in the bottom 3.’

Bob_Helpful:

‘Genuinely can’t get my head round how someone can look at what is happening on the pitch, based on their own instructions, and think “yep, what they need is more of me”. Is he just utterly blind to his own shortcomings?’

Eccles Exile:

‘Luke, I respect your opinion, but there are good reasons fans want him gone: 7 wins in 37, playing people out of position, playing with no striker, the regressing of players. He has one of the worst win % of any Prem manager to manage over 100 games. He can’t turn it around.’

Adrian (Adi) Langley:

‘I’m not sure why you say he feels the team and everyone needs him? Does he have that much of a superiority complex that he feels there is no one who can do a better job than him? It would explain a lot of his press conferences where he gets majorly defensive of his actions.’

Liam:

‘He’s here because of the money no other Premier League club would appoint him and if he really cares about the club he walks and the players don’t need him they need a better manager.’

Liam Lagay:

‘Thing is a shade over 94.3% want him gone. That’s coming from the fans who are apparently the cornerstone of a club.

At that what point does enough become enough? 7 wins in 37 games and a very difficult run of games coming up (next 11).’

Bagsy Bobbins:

‘He is staying because he knows he won’t get a PL job again and his ego is so great he wants to be mixing with his old buddies and visiting OT etc.

Plus the money.’

Martin Johnson:

‘Why do the players need a manager who plays them all out of position?’

Yousef:

‘There’s a difference between thinking Bruce is awful (which is my strong view) and thinking he “should” resign (which is, to my mind, a little unrealistic/naive). MA hired him. If MA wants him gone, he should line up the right replacement, then pay Bruce off. The rest is noise.’

Jonathan B:

‘I’m not so sure. If 95 out of 100 clients of mine told me they didn’t want me…I’d be tempted to think I’d look for something else and move on’

Josh Fouche:

‘Hi Luke, so the moment he feels they don’t need him anymore his stance will change?’