There’s been a lot of conflicting reports on different aspects of this takeover – most pressing is when it will be announced so we can shed that final sliver of apprehension.
Whether Steve Bruce will remain in the interim has also been a source of speculation over the past few weeks. It seems like the new ownership group could be willing to give Bruce at least a chance to finish out this season, should it resume.
That’s been reported by multiple outlets, including Sky Sports yesterday. However, barring a miraculous run in the final nine games, Bruce will likely not last much longer than the rest of this season even if he does very well.
Luke Edwards reported yesterday that Steve Bruce was fearing his tenure as Newcastle’s head coach is close to ending.
.@LukeEdwardsTele exclusive: Steve Bruce fears for Newcastle future as takeover nears completion https://t.co/UK285lSQfK
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) April 20, 2020
According to Edwards, Bruce has sought information from Ashley on the takeover but has not been provided anything concrete.
However, the news last night was that Mike Ashley wanted to put out a statement last week about an agreement being reached, but the Saudis asked him not to.
So if Ashley wanted to make the sale public, then we wonder why he wouldn’t let Bruce now the situation. There’s still a lot of the finer details that are unknown at the moment.
But on the grand scale, this takeover is looking like it could be announced at any time from today to the next few weeks.
Whatever the future is for Bruce, hopefully, he’ll be acknowledged for keeping the club in a stable enough position for this sale to be possible. That could end up being his Newcastle legacy. There’s a lot of worse scenarios we can think of.
Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan has spoken to Football Insider about Bruce’s tenuous circumstances.
This is what Whelan had to say about Bruce:
“Steve Bruce deserves a crack. He has done very well since taking over.
“At the very minimum finish the season. He will keep them in the Premier League and that will allow him to get another move because he has done a great job at Newcastle.
“As long as they are honest with Steve. If in the end, if it is not Steve he will shake their hand, walk away and get another job. But it has got to be done the right way.
“They have to look after Steve, do it the right way, and show him the respect that he deserves.”
We definitely concur that Bruce should be treated with respect. Whether he gets a chance to finish the season or not, Bruce has done an admirable job under trying circumstances.
90 comments so far
9
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:20 PM
Comment #1It’s certainly going to refresh this place, not having to scroll through endless, one-eyed, repetitive comments about the (still, just) owner! We all know who the culprits are. I look forward to football-related comments, though no doubt the petty schoolyard spats and squabbles will continue, more’s the pity.
geordietom
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:21 PM
Comment #2https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8233761/Traffic-light-lockdown-schools-weeks.html/…
have a look …
Mirandinha
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:22 PM
Comment #3I agree leaves with an improved rep with fans. Probably can go out for meals in town after he leaves and not get abused. That’s gotta be a win.
Tramp
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:23 PM
Comment #4It’s neither here nor there, this debate has no meaning, if he finishes the season or is immediately replaced it will make no difference to the future of the club. He clearly won’t be in anybody’s plans for the future so whether he goes now or later what difference does it make.
ShirebrookToon
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:25 PM
Comment #5Jazzy
Where you want this Lonsdale gear leaving that you asked me to get ya
On the other hand
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:26 PM
Comment #6Munster
You may think I’m a weak man but you’re like The Wife, no man ar all.
ShirebrookToon
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:28 PM
Comment #7Tom
That’s a load of bollocks that article mate. 25 may is spring bank holiday for starters
geordietom
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:28 PM
Comment #8shire …
burn the shit …
On the other hand
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:29 PM
Comment #9Billson
Not looking for a argument but wheres your proof.
You nay say everyones opinion but yours is gospel in your opinion, so wheres your proof that Ashley hasn’t moved the goalposts and theres been no other serious buyers?
Munster Mag
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:29 PM
Comment #10I think its dead right to treat Bruce with respect. He came in with no preseason, players already signed , had a lot of luck and a great keeper, was never a patsy ( playing full teams in cup, despite what many of Les Miserables said would happen) , the players liked him and gave him everything and he got to a pretty safe area of the table. The football was poor but improved towards the end.
Full respect to you Bruce, you did your bit and left nobody down.
JDdubai
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:29 PM
Comment #11Brucey will be fine, his rep is higher now than before he came so will get some decent offers once he goes at bigger clubs than sheff Wed, plus his handsome payoff.
He cant complain either, after walking out on his contract with Sheff Wed because he had a better offer elsewhere, he cant then complain that the club wants to go in a different direction from him. Live by the sword…. etc.
ShirebrookToon
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:29 PM
Comment #12Tom
Haha. It would be a waste of matches
geordietom
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Comment #13shire …
i only put it on mate anyway were’s me trainers …
😀
RobLeenio
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Comment #14Tom, that can’t be right – they’re talking about sending GCSE age kids back to school in May, which is when they would have been finishing their exams.
The Mail spouts nonsense constantly.
Moonraker15
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Comment #15Steve Bruce will leave the toon with more respect than he had when he came. But he was a lucky manager. Ashley dodged a bullet because it could easily have gone the other way when you look at results.
I see Jason Cundy is going on about how difficult it will be to win something comparing us with Liverpool trying to win the league and spending a billion quid!
They just don’t get how relieved we are just to be rid of Ashley! The Saudi money is a big bonus but being rid of the fatso regime is the prime objective!
Smokey mcpot
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:31 PM
Comment #16Been some quality headlines to scour through during the wakey bakey semi nakey only read the comments on here last week or so never really noticed em but some good reading lads
geordietom
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:32 PM
Comment #17Shire …
not if the matches are made by Lonsdale …
IrishRob
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:32 PM
Comment #18I’d love to see Pat on the heed fired from his position as Newcastle manager with immediate effect. Thanks pat you didnt relegate us, hold your head high. But it’s now time for somone with a functioning cerebral cortex!
hibbit
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:32 PM
Comment #19Munster other than Sheff Wed !!!!
Munster Mag
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:33 PM
Comment #20Moonraker, completely agree. Right now its a case of getting rid of Ashley. Next season lets chase Europa and keep building the club infrastructure. City weren’t great when they were taken over. It takes time. Cundy is a bit of an idiot anyway.
geordietom
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:33 PM
Comment #21rob …
thats was my thinking as well mate , jumping the gun or spouting crap springs to mind …
lochinvar
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:33 PM
Comment #22Dr. Ed is holding court today, you’ve earned it sir !
Ed to Neil, Neil to Ed. Where’s The Wife ?
Tomorrow Wednesday 22nd seems as good a time as any for an announcement.
Twitter have just announced that they are bracing themselves for a surge in posts, manic hysteria and wild antics and extreme videos being released.
They’ve bought extra ice in to cool down the servers and will restrict posts to a maximum of two per person.
All Police leave has been cancelled and the Army are on the streets as a precaution against fat bald men with no shirts on exposing themselves in Fenwick’s window as promised.
There’s been a run on commodities such as Craster Kippers due to demand from Essex and other parts of the country.
The Queen has sent a message of congratulations to the end of war on Tyneside and a break out of celebrations which will be marked by 365 days of all with smiling faces. When asked for he comments her Maj was heard to say under her breath ” purely belter”.
The Duke of Edinburgh out driving his carriage just said ” divn’t dunch us wor geordies”.
Greggs will release a Coronation Pastie to be known as an Amanda, the first female pastie of its kind being both sweet and oh so good for you health.
The cockney based song The Lambeth Walk has been dislodged from the charts to be replace with “Knees up Staveley Town (Toon) ” All together now.
A spokesperson for the TASK Force ( Toon Army Special K ) are said to be stocking up on cans in anticipation of a release of ring pulls which may cause some seismic monitors to show a spike as the earth moves centred on Grid Reference 524324 564608
The orbiting Space Station is reporting that the lights are coming back on at that reference and that the National Grid is diverting power from other parts of the country to deal with the power surge.
JIb was speechless and that takes some doing.
Our Toon
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:34 PM
Comment #23We have a right to be excited people but let’s also be realistic. I believe citeh stuck with Hughes and then went for Mancini, these are examples of course
Plenty of managers out there who have the ability to grow the club at this initial stage, I dont get this nonsense about wanting a manager who’s won things as that means we will win things here!!
We went down the road with SJH and Freddy Shepherd, plenty of winning trophy managers came in and they failed big time (exception of SBR who should have got more time)
Bruce will hold on till end of season then a poch type manager would be good to see, let’s not forget even spurs were hardly big spenders, he continued to help them punch above their weight. I’d like to see what he can do with some serious backing though.
ShirebrookToon
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:34 PM
Comment #24Tom
They wouldn’t work if they were lol
RobLeenio
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:34 PM
Comment #25Moonraker “They just don’t get how relieved we are just to be rid of Ashley! The Saudi money is a big bonus but being rid of the fatso regime is the prime objective!”
That’s exactly what keeps me going – then we can start to look forward and dream of glory, but I won’t be demanding it or expecting it. All I want is a club that competes at its full potential.
Mind, Champions League football within 4-5 seasons would be nice!
😉
Munster Mag
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:36 PM
Comment #26Is Favre too defensive for Dortmund fans? Someone mentioned it earlier. If he’s too defensive, lets have Rafa. As OLG convinced me last night, a few attacking players and Rafa might fly. I’m certainly happy to see what happens with him. However if Favre can produce real pace and verve in his teams , and has done it historically, he shoots waaay up the list.
davo
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:36 PM
Comment #27I would get rid of Bruce immediately.weve been appalling all season and it’s a minor miracle we’ve got the points that we have.
geordietom
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:37 PM
Comment #28wish people would stfu Sports washing thats all we are gonna hear for months on end …
Munster Mag
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:37 PM
Comment #29Im not going to hang Charnley either. Can you imagine trying to negotiate for a player with Ashley holding the strings? If a guy is valued at 20mill out opening offer is about 8m ffs .
Our Toon
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:37 PM
Comment #30Bruce will leave with his reputation much better than it was when he joined that’s for sure. I had us as cannon fodder so pleasantly surprised with the position and results yielded this season.
hibbit
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:37 PM
Comment #31what ever happened to sport the team not the regime ??????????
geordietom
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:38 PM
Comment #32Shire …
😀
Munster Mag
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:38 PM
Comment #33Geordietom we were right to keep positive amongst the many naysayers !
Or is this still Ashley’s PR 🙂 🙂 🙂
Moonraker15
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:38 PM
Comment #34That £17 million deposit is non refundable yes; but I’m pretty sure there will be a clause “subject to PL ratification” as this is out of their control.
There’s no way Ashley gets £17 million and keeps the club. Not without losing his head that is!
Reilly
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:40 PM
Comment #35https://mobile.twitter.com/NUFC_Scotty/status/1252562232174620673
geordietom
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:40 PM
Comment #36https://youtu.be/Hkt8E2Ul-Xw…
Mad Frog Boom 22
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:41 PM
Comment #37Still not sold, so once more! Its never Mr Ashleys fault, who he will pretend to sell us next? Fakeover 10 – Takeover 0
Mad Frog Boom 22
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:41 PM
Comment #38We need only one goal to survive!! Como on takeovers!!
Fakeover 10 – 0 Takeover
RobLeenio
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:42 PM
Comment #39Has Richard Keys really said the below?
Richard Keys: “I wish it was another club. I just wish it wasn’t Newcastle United that the Saudis wanted to buy.”
https://twitter.com/NUFC360/status/1252555013387321344
When did he say that? What a twot! Why not us?
Absolutely abhorrent man, he’s actually up there as equal with Ashley for me.
geordietom
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:42 PM
Comment #40or this …
https://youtu.be/1hBWBVVFA4c