The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has insisted that Steve Bruce is one of SEVERAL names on the club’s radar – but admits he featured ‘prominently’ in NUFC discussions the day Benitez departed two weeks ago.
This comes after Sky Sports confirmed earlier this afternoon that the former Sunderland boss is one of the names ‘under consideration’ at St James’ Park – news that has left us wondering whether this shambolic summer is about to take yet another turn for the worse.
Here’s what Edwards has had to say to NUFC fans on Twitter after the Bruce bombshell was dropped this afternoon – not that he seems too surprised:
“You may remember that I told you Steve Bruce was a prominent name in NUFC discussions on the day Rafa left two weeks ago. Nice to see others – including bookmakers – catching up NUFC.
“It doesn’t mean he will get the job, but he has always been in their thinking. It wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world. The bookmakers have been all over the place with this one though. Remember Garry Monk?!”
He then went on to tweet the following just moments later, asking fans to ‘calm down’ after the sudden Steve Bruce rumours – insisting that he is just one of many names the club are considering:
“Everybody just calm down, so Steve Bruce is one of the people NUFC are considering. So what? We already knew that.
“If he gets it, he’s a better manager than many seem to think on here but it is not a done deal yet.
“He’s just on the shortlist and has been for two weeks.”
On things I don’t feel is right from Luke here is the fact he tries to defend the potential appointment of Bruce, with him stating he’s a ‘better manager than many seem to think’.
Sorry, but replacing Rafa Benitez with Steve Bruce – a former Sunderland manager who’s been nothing more than a Championship manager in recent – would be an absolutely shambolic move; even by Mike Ashley’s low standards.
We were never going to bring in a manager on the same level of Rafa, but when some capable or intriguing options like Martinez, Arteta, Vieira and Blanc have been touted, a move for Bruce would be underwhelming to put it mildly – for both players, fans and any much needed new signings.
Let’s hope the club aren’t stupid enough to go through with this and a slightly more inspiring option is pursued instead!
If Bruce comes he he might just be coming in as a stop gap until the club is sold
Brrrian(Quote)