Steve Bruce endured a nightmare first day as Newcastle boss — even as the club prepared to smash their transfer record for £35million striker Joelinton.
Bruce's official appointment as head coach, on a three-year-deal, sparked a furious response from the club's fans, who called for a boycott of the first game of the season. Meanwhile, his previous employers, Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, threatened legal action. Premier League.
The 58-year-old Geordie was put straight on a 13-hour flight to China to meet up with his squad, and will discover when he lands they got slaughtered 4-0 by Wolves in a pre-season friendly.
‘Bruce Out’ has been trending on Twitter, and he was immediately installed by bookmakers as the favourite to be the next Premier League manager to lose his job.
Against that chaotic backdrop, the club were locked in talks for German club Hoffenheim’s 22-year-old Brazilian frontman Joelinton.
Bruce quit a Hillsborough post he's only held since January on Monday, with Newcastle understood to be offering around £4m in compensation.
But the Owls said in a Tuesday statement: “The club is disappointed to learn via public statement issued by Newcastle United that it has appointed former Sheffield Wednesday staff Steve Bruce, Steve Agnew and Steve Clemence.
“Regardless of the fact that the staff resigned from their positions with the club on Monday, there remains outstanding legal issues to be resolved between the club and the staff and Newcastle United.
“The club is currently considering its position and taking the appropriate legal advice.”
Nine different Newcastle supporters groups united under the ‘Empty for Ashley’ banner to condemn the appointment saying: “To go from a world-class manager in Rafa Benitez, who brought stability and unity to the club to Steve Bruce - who frankly wouldn’t get a job at any other Premier League side right now - in the space of six weeks is beyond disappointing.”
But Bruce said in a statement: “I’m delighted and incredibly proud to be appointed as head coach of Newcastle United. This is my boyhood club and it was my dad’s club, so this is a very special moment for me and my family.
“There is a huge challenge ahead of us, but it’s one that my staff and I are ready for. We’ll roll our sleeves up and we’ll be giving it everything from the off to ensure supporters have a successful team that they can be proud of.”
There was also plea for unity from the Magpies' skipper Jamaal Lascelles, who said: “He is a well-known manager who has done well in the Premier League and the Championship.
“Most clubs are pretty settled by pre-season, unfortunately it didn’t happen but it is not the end of the world. It is important everyone gets behind Steve Bruce. We’ve got to stick together. It is the best thing we can do. We can’t be pointing the finger and having a go.”
