Football managers come and go. Some leave a lasting impression and others don’t. Steve Bruce certainly had an impact at Newcastle United, though, for better or worse.
Having spent more than two years at Newcastle, leading right up to the PIF takeover, Bruce was on Tyneside at a very important and highly transitional period in the club’s history.
Where does Jonjo Shelvey’s free-kick at Leeds rank among your favourite goals of the PIF era?
He didn’t last long once PIF arrived, though. 13 days after the takeover was completed, Bruce had left the club. A few weeks later, Eddie Howe took the job, and the rest is history.
But, one player who had the experience of working with both Bruce and Howe has been speaking out about his time at Newcastle, and has nothing but nice things to say about the former manager.
Jonjo Shelvey loved working with Steve Bruce
On the latest episode of the Under the Cosh podcast, ex-Newcastle ace Jonjo Shelvey was asked about that period of change when Bruce left the club and admitted he really enjoyed working with the veteran manager despite some sections of the fanbase being happy to see the back of him.
Shelvey said: “It wasn’t a nice place at the time because obviously I actually really like Steve Bruce. I always got on well with him. He was always good to me.
“But I just had a feeling that they love Rafa so much the fans. So, whoever was going to go in there while Mike was still in charge, was never going to be liked. And the fact that Brucey had managed Sunderland in the past as well probably didn’t help. But for me personally, he was as good as gold.
“I mean, I know there’s this thing out there that he likes his days off and things like that, but everyone likes a day off.”
During his time as Newcastle United manager, Bruce took charge of 97 matches, winning 29 of them. His average of 1.15 points per match is on the fairly low side, compared to others who came before (and after him) on Tyneside.
Name a better signing than Kieran Trippier in the PIF era at Newcastle United…
There surely isn’t many?
Can you believe Jonjo Shelvey was part of PIF era?
This story actually reminded me that Shelvey was still at Newcastle during the PIF era, and I find that incredible, really. In fact, the midfielder spent a good year-and-a-half at the club under the Saudi regime, and produced some fine moments, too.
It says a lot about how far the club has come that Shelvey seems such a distant memory. Indeed, it’s safe to say the Newcastle midfield has been upgraded since his time.
Amanda Staveley said Joelinton was the best player at the club when PIF took over. Now, you look at the likes of Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Malick Thiaw, and of course, the incredible Bruno Guimaraes, and realise that this is not a team that Shelvey would have a chance in, even at his peak.
Still, he contributed to some good memories and was a loyal servant to the club during his seven-year spell at St. James’ Park.
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