Steve Bruce has made headlines recently following Dwight Gayle’s comments about his training methods at Newcastle United.
The 64-year-old’s time in the North East was nothing short of a disaster, having failed at both Newcastle United and Sunderland.
Steve Bruce was sacked by Newcastle’s new owners just one game after the club was bought from Mike Ashley in 2021, but the former Manchester United captain knew the writing was on the wall anyway.
Dwight Gayle criticised Bruce for his training methods at Newcastle, saying he only took preparations seriously following the takeover, while the PIF were watching.
Those comments made Bruce, who is now the manager of League One side Blackpool, bite back. Bruce slated Gayle for his comments, referring to a big opportunity he missed in the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City in 2020.
Before he was sacked, Bruce recommended Eddie Howe to be Newcastle manager alongside Steven Gerrard, who was at Rangers at that point before joining Aston Villa.
Newcastle have improved tremendously under Howe in comparison to their progress with Bruce at the helm. The Magpies recently celebrated their first major trophy since 1969 while also playing in the Champions League under Howe.
With Bruce clearly shaken by Gayle’s comments, he has now bit back once again in a recent interview.
- READ MORE – What Jonjo Shelvey said about Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United training in 2020 after Dwight Gayle’s criticism
Steve Bruce launches fresh Dwight Gayle rant after Newcastle criticism
Bruce is having a good time at Blackpool, with the Seasiders just seven points off the playoff spots in League One.
There’s no doubt his new role is a drop down in comparison to where he has managed previously, but it’s a position he has taken in his stride and clearly enjoys.
However, Bruce will surely be fearing for his reputation following Gayle’s comments, which do not paint him in a good light whatsoever. Gayle is retiring from football at the end of the season, but his best years were undoubtedly with Newcastle.
Speaking to TalkSPORT, Bruce was asked about Gayle’s comments by Troy Deeney and Jeff Stelling.
“Listen, how I got regurgitated again when Newcastle have had their best week in 70-odd years is typical of my time in the North East.
“I was surprised and disappointed by some of the comments that Dwight made because half of it was exaggerated to say the least, and the other half were just lies, basically, which I found very difficult to understand – put it that way.
- READ MORE – Steve Bruce shares what Mike Ashley was truly like behind closed doors at Newcastle United
“I got (word of it) after the game, we’ve all got press officers these days, and my press officer alerted me to it. I thought I’ll respond in the only way that I can with a little fightback at Dwight.
“If you’re gonna do this job, you’re gonna be criticised and you’ve got to be able to take it. I was disappointed with his comments, and in my opinion, it was totally out of order.
“When I see some of the quotes like I put on my boots and put on a whistle because the Saudi Arabians were there, I mean, what a load of nonsense, ridiculous.”
Steve Bruce’s managerial career after Newcastle sacking
Bruce will be disappointed that he wasn’t able to make his time at Newcastle work. Managing the Magpies was his dream job, given how close he was born to Newcastle.
Despite the poor memories, Bruce signed players who have gone on to become Newcastle icons following a remarkable comeback under Howe. Joelinton was deemed a flop by many, having joined for £40m under Bruce before Howe turned him into one of the most feared midfielders in the Premier League.
Bruce took some time out from football following his Newcastle sacking and subsequent £8m payout. He was then appointed manager of Championship side West Brom, who were sixth at the time. However, the Baggies regressed substantially under Bruce, who then left the club while they were 22nd in the table.
A two-year absence followed before Bruce took the role at Blackpool after Neil Critchley left the club. Things got off to a good start for the former Newcastle boss, winning League One’s Manager of the Month in September 2024.
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