Steve Bruce’s Premier League record after 50 games as Newcastle United boss stands marginally better than Rafa Benitez’s after defeat to Leeds.
The current manager reached the half century at Elland Road in Wednesday night’s 5-2 battering – a loss that leaves his record almost identical to the Spaniard’s at the same time in his tenure.
However, believe it or not, Bruce has a slight upper hand at this point, picking up one extra win and one less defeat than the popular Spaniard.
Here is how the two compare at 50 PL games each:
- Steve Bruce – 16 wins, 13 draws and 21 losses
- Rafa Benitez – 15 wins, 13 draws and 22 losses
While Bruce has the advantage over his counterpart, he has also been handed a far bigger transfer budget since his arrival, having over £100m spent on the likes of Wilson, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton and Lewis to name a few.
Rafa’s first 50 games in charge at Premier League level saw him first take on a team ruined by Steve McClaren, followed by a newly promoted side with an attacking armoury of Joselu, Perez, Ritchie, Atsu and Kenedy.
Many called it a ‘Championship’ squad after promotion, but the same cannot be said about the group of players at Steve Bruce’s disposal a few years later.
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Lots of us didn’t like the style of play under Benitez but the reason he carried so much support was he defended by design,
with Bruce it’s defending by desperation.
The players knew their role and the position they should be in and the man to pick up, look at Almiron looking to see who scored when it was his man more than once this season to see the difference.
As I said not nec pretty but effective,
Plan or no plan there’s the difference in the managers.
I feel Eddie Howe should venture up north after Christmas
Cc(Quote)
Defending by design is a good analogy. I was about to say the key differences are that Bruce is performing to the maximum of his abilities but the team are only performing to 50% of theirs, whereas Rafa was performing to maybe 75% of his abilities as he was restricted by a team performing to a maximum of theirs.
JulioLaker(Quote)
Taxi for Bruce
CC(Quote)
So, Brucie is a better manager than Rafa? Not a stat the SKYBOY tossas will be bandying about. Bruce had zip effect on signing either Big useless Joe or Alain ‘yellow streak’ St Max. Both done deals before Bruce got lumbered (certainly with the former) So trying to kid yourself he’s had £100m is a complete joke.
Imagine 50 games where I’d guess Bruce has accepted he *HAS to involve Big useless Joe and has pretty much usurped the proclaimed World Class Rafa ‘ten men behind the ball’ Benitez.
Not a shabby achievement!
*HAS to be orders from above?
Davy Scott(Quote)