'It was very difficult': Steve Bruce insists he was a 'victim' at Newcastle as he drops hint about return to management

Former Newcastle boss Steve Bruce declared he was the “victim” at St James' Park as his dream job quickly turned into a nightmare.

The ex-manchester united The captain was in charge of his children's club from July 2019 to October 2021, where he was fired after the Saudi takeover of the club.

Bruce, who previously managed Magpies' bitter rivals Sunderland, was never fully accepted by the club. Newcastle faithful, with fans desperate for him to leave.

And they got their wish eight games into the 2021/22 season, with Bruce fired just a few days after taking charge of his 1,000th game in office.

Still, Bruce looks back on his time with his beloved side with fond memories, despite claiming that financial difficulties and other aspects affected his role.

Reflecting on his 'difficult time' during his appearance on talkSPORT Breakfast, Bruce said: “Look, I managed Newcastle for two and a half years.

“And it wasn't easy, the pandemic also continued, that didn't help either, but it was a different Newcastle to what it is today.

“I think by finishing 12th and 13th, you did your job, like Newcastle then, the remit was 'Keep Newcastle in the Premier League'.”

She later added: “I absolutely loved the job, I loved coming to work even though it was during Covid, it was difficult and I think I was the victim.

“It's a bit like when I was managing Sunderland, I said: 'Ten years from now you'll look back and think that guy did a good job.'

4

4

“My task was that I had just arrived after Rafa (Rafael Benítez), who finished 12th, we lost (Aleksandar) Mitrovic (to Fulham) and (Ayoze Pérez), who went to Leicester.

“So we lost the two strikers and the task was just to keep Newcastle (in the league). We weren't a great game, I understand that too.

“(Today's Newcastle) is full of life; we didn't have a team to play like that and I knew that's what the fans wanted, but we didn't have a team.

“I would like to think that we were very well organized, that it was difficult to beat us and play against us.

“I enjoyed it a lot, it became difficult of course, but I think I was a victim of the whole club who at that time were desperate to take charge.

“We are talking about FFP, the club would never be in trouble under mike ashley.

“It was a very run club under Mike, and I know they're going to slaughter me for it, but that's how it was.

“The important thing is that we never had a lot of money to spend, we spent exactly what the club generated and of course that would never be enough to be successful.”

Bruce, who has been unable to manage since parting ways with West Brom in October 2022, then spoke about when he might return to the dugout.

It comes amid rumors linking him to South Korea. national team workwhere he said: “Is international management something you would perhaps consider? Yes.

4

“I would, and to be fair, South Korea has a tremendously good team at the moment and everything else.

“However, I think they have appointed an interim (Hwang Sun-hong), so I'm not against anything, but my lady might have something to tell me if I go to South Korea!”

And then he ruled out ever managing the Red Devils when asked if he dreamed of leading the Old Trafford team.

He commented: “Any coach (would have done it). It has to be the pinnacle, right?

“It's a wonderful, fantastic football club, but I don't think that's going to happen, unfortunately.”

Listen to the talkSPORT breakfast show every weekday from 6am