Newcastle are going only one way under Steve Bruce, and it is essential for the club’s Premier League survival that they make a change now, no matter how recently he was appointed.
Despite looking completely out of his depth, as Newcastle hurtle towards a relegation hole they will soon have no chance of climbing out of, the Chronicle report the hopeless manager will be given time by Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley.
It was a disastrous appointment from the outset, and will only be overshadowed by a nonsensical belief that it will get better with more time.
The report said: “Bruce held a face to face chat with managing director Lee Charnley behind the scenes at the King Power Stadium in the direct aftermath of the 5-0 hammering against the Foxes.
“But Bruce will continue his preparations for the encounter with Man United later this week after players were handed a day to cool off after the head coach blasted them in the dressing room.
“Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is prepared to let Bruce get his feet under the table at United, and having paid compensation to bring him in from Sheff Wed, he would not be keen to cough up more compensation to pay him off and further money to replace him.”
Relegation will cost Ashley a lot more than sacking Bruce will
Ashley may not want to pay out more money to replace him, but even he must know that relegation will lose him millions.
A short-term financial hit would be countered by the long-term gain.
If he lets the situation escalate, and finds that by time he makes a decision to act, it is already beyond redemption, he will be counting a lot bigger loss than a few quid in compensation!
The report added that Bruce acknowledged “the buck had to stop with him” and that he is considering wielding the axe for the Manchester United game on Sunday, but it is more evident that it is the owner who should be wielding any axe.
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