Redknapp claims Bruce wants to be sacked by Newcastle

Joe Williams
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce rubs his nose

Jamie Redknapp thinks Steve Bruce wants to be “put out of his misery” at Newcastle United with pressure mounting on the new owners to sack him.

The Magpies fans made their feelings towards Bruce known again against Tottenham on Sunday with chants urging the owners to change manager.

Newcastle, who went down to ten men late on when Jonjo Shelvey was sent off, lost the match at home to Spurs 3-2 despite taking an early lead through Callum Wilson.


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Goals from Tanguy Ndombele, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min secured three points for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side and saw Newcastle drop to 19th in the table.

And Redknapp thinks it has got to the point now where Bruce wants to be sacked with the former Manchester United defender “hating every second”.

Redknapp said on Sky Sports: “If I’m totally honest my feeling is that Bruce would like to be put out of his misery. He’s a symbol of the previous regime but he will be hating every second. You can’t enjoy that, he’s a good guy. My respect level for him is so high. When he gets that phone call I think he will be relieved.”

Former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte has been linked with the job but Redknapp thinks he will be holding out for a better job.

He added: “It’s not just about a director of football, you need the right man managing the team. To find a good manager right now, Conte has probably got one eye on Manchester United. This would be a great job but Steve will be looking forward to the day coming and taking a break.”

There have been concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record following the Saudi-led takeover of the Magpies – but Redknapp claims the majority of fans don’t care who owns their club.

Redknapp continued: “I understand the human rights problems, it stares you in the face. But we have to be very careful not to be too hypocritical, because as a country, we have a lot of deals with the Saudis.

“We run very close to the bone by doing that, so to say to a club that you then can’t have investors just doesn’t sit correctly with me. (Newcastle fans) will be well aware, but the truth is, I’m not sure football fans, the majority, really care who owns their club.

“I think if we’re going to go into the business dealings of a lot of the Premier League owners, we might not even have a league. You have to be very careful. Newcastle fans, right now, they’re so excited, they are beyond excited. Of course time will pass, we’ve all got short memories in football.

“There will soon be another story. But right now the (new) Newcastle owners are delighting this city.”