Former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp has urged Newcastle United's incoming new owners to keep faith in Steve Bruce.
The ongoing speculation has suggested that the new owners have placed former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino as their top choice to take charge on Tyneside, which would represent a significant coup.
However, Redknapp believes that Bruce should be given the opportunity to rejuvenate the side with transfer funds and deserves his opportunity to build something special at the club.
“People have to have more respect for Steve Bruce because he’s done a really, really good job at Newcastle. Why can’t we give him the opportunity, why can’t we say to him ‘here’s some money, let’s see what you can do’ because he’s probably never had that opportunity before," he told Sky Sports' Football Show.
“There’s nothing to suggest he couldn’t manage a top-six club. Everyone was tipping Newcastle to go down this year and he’s done a great job, with players that I don’t think are top-level, he’s put them in a good position and I think he deserves more respect than he is getting.
“Pochettino, of course, he’s a great manager. Towards the end of his Tottenham time, it became sour, you could see he was not enjoying it, and I think the relationship with the owner had soured so much that it couldn’t go on.
“Going to Newcastle is a great opportunity but it’s one thing living in London and living in Newcastle, so let’s see how that one develops, but I personally feel that Bruce deserves an opportunity.”
