Most of Steve Bruce’s ex-players only have good things to say about the Newcastle United boss, praising his man management and likability within the dressing room.
That theme has been torn to shreds by a former player of his this week, however, with ex-Villa flop Aaron Tshibola making a few pretty shocking claims about about usually well-liked 59-year-old.
The midfielder – who barely featured under Bruce following a £5m move from Reading – claims he isn’t approachable, is too ‘confident’ and ‘aggressive’ and doesn’t give young players a chance.
Here’s what he’s had to say in an interview with the Sun:
“As a young player you think [Bruce] isn’t really approachable and he hadn’t really spoken to me.
“I was literally alone and I just tried to work hard in training.
“Of course I was upset.”
“He is very authoritative, confident, aggressive.
“He wanted things his way.
“I feel like, if you look at a lot of his teams, they gain promotion but you won’t see many young players.
“I wanted to play, I deserved to play and believed in my ability and wanted to be a star even though I was so young.
“I was thinking the club had invested in me but I never got a fair opportunity.”
We don’t know what went on behind the scenes between the pair, but some of Tshibola’s comments seem unfair given Steve Bruce promoted young Villa trio Andre Green, Keinan Davis, and Callum O’Hare to the senior set up during his time in the Midlands.
At Newcastle, he may have pushed for the signings of a few players around the 30-mark in Andy Carroll and Danny Rose, however he facilitated Matty Longstaff’s rise from U-23 regular to first-team squad member, has continued to show faith in Sean Longstaff and handed Tom Allan his debut in the FA Cup this season.
He seems well liked within the Newcastle dressing room, but it seems Tshibola had a very different experience during his time under the NUFC boss!
Sounds like a bitter lad having a go because he didn’t make the grade.
The only shocker here for me is that Tshibola seemed surprised that the manager wanted things done his way. But I suppose that’s the modern generation for you.
JFA127(Quote)
Balls! Longstaff bros potentially world class esp. Matty
Dave bond(Quote)