Former Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce was recently slammed by Dwight Gayle for his training methods.
The former Manchester United captain endured a bitter end on Tyneside when he was brutally sacked by Amanda Staveley just one game after Newcastle United’s historic takeover in 2021.
Things were not going well for Steve Bruce by any means. Newcastle were in the relegation zone and were without a win all season before a consortium backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) bought the club from Mike Ashley who was using the club as effectively using the club and St James’ Park as a big advertising board for Sports Direct.
Eddie Howe succeeded Bruce shortly after, and the rest was history. Former Newcastle ace Dwight Gayle said Bruce ‘didn’t do much’ in training and only began taking preparations seriously when the club’s new owners were watching.
Those comments clearly infuriated the 64-year-old, who now manages League One side Blackpool. Bruce criticised Gayle for missing a big chance in the 2020 FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City.
With the pair indirectly going back and forth, we look back at what Jonjo Shelvey, another former Newcastle star, said about Bruce’s training methods in 2020.
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Jonjo Shelvey loved Steve Bruce’s training at Newcastle United
Shelvey joined Newcastle in 2016 and saw several managers come and go including Rafa Benitez. The former England international left Newcastle in 2022 but still made a big impact during his time on Tyneside.
The 33-year-old now plays for Championship side Burnley but has only made four appearances in all competitions so far. Despite leaving, Shelvey’s family still live in Newcastle, a clear sign of how much the midfielder enjoyed his time on Tyneside.
It’s clear that Shelvey will be on Bruce’s side if push comes to shove. Speaking in 2020, Shelvey was asked about life under Bruce’s tutelage.
“(Working under Bruce has) been great to be fair.
“Every time you get a new manager you feel refreshed and recharged and ready to go again.
“When you get a new manager it’s like the first day back at school – everybody is trying to run around and look busy.
“The training and standard has gone up. He’s brought an enjoyment into the training but he’s been great for me.
“He put his arm around me and made me work harder.” (the Chronicle)
Shelvey made 63 appearances under Bruce at Newcastle, scoring eight goals and bagging five assists. The Englishman was known for having fun during training sessions – it was recently revealed that Shelvey jokingly teased Jacob Murphy over his price tag after he slipped during a rondo in training.
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Jonjo Shelvey preferred Eddie Howe to Steve Bruce
While Shelvey may have enjoyed training under Bruce, he loved playing under Howe a lot more.
It is clear that Newcastle made the right decision to appoint Howe as head coach after Bruce left, despite initial reluctance from the PIF and fans.
Howe won the Carabao Cup for Newcastle in 2025, with the 47-year-old becoming the first Toon boss to win a trophy since Joe Harvey won the Fairs Cup in 1969.
In a 2021 interview with the Sun, Shelvey was full of praise for Howe, saying: “He’s told us to get after the ball and press high up the pitch.
“Obviously you don’t want to concede three at home and draw, but it’s a lot more exciting and enjoyable than just sitting back and defending.
“For fitness and sharpness, he’s given us an extra five per cent and a rocket up our backsides.”
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