Bruce vs Benitez - Surprise results after comparing first 50 Premier League games for NUFC

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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