Steve Bruce has revealed that 'vile' social media users have sent him death threats and 'hoped' that the Newcastle United head coach dies of COVID-19.
The 60-year-old is not on social media but his son, Alex, has a Twitter account and regularly receives abuse aimed at his father at all times of day and night.
Indeed, just a simple search of Bruce's name on the platform brings up a host of shocking and disgusting messages that no one should ever have to read.
Bruce has now become the first Premier League manager to come out and speak in such detail about his own experience - just a few days after referee Mike Dean received death threats following two controversial red card incidents last week.
"I just know that in conversations I've had with with my family over the last few days, when we've been talking about the Mike Dean situation, it was brought to my attention that I've had it too," Bruce told reporters on Zoom.
"It's really horrible stuff, which I couldn't really get my breath with. Things like someone saying they hope I die of Covid and all of this.
"It's absolutely vile and obscene. It has to be stopped. These big companies should start policing it better than they are doing, that's for sure."
Dean will not referee a Premier League game this weekend after his request to stand down was granted following the abuse he received after sending off Southampton defender Jan Bednarek and West Ham midfielder Thomas Soucek last week.
Bednarek's red card against Manchester United was overturned on appeal while Soucek's dismissal against Fulham was rescinded on Monday.
Merseyside Police have confirmed they are 'investigating allegations of malicious communications' and Bruce knows better than most what the referee is going through after receiving death threats, himself.
"I don't go on it but of, course, people close to me do and they are sensitve towards their father and yes [there have been death threats]," Bruce added. "Yep, I've had that to deal with.
"We've got to police it better because there are some vulnerable people out there. When I see the nature of some of it, it's totally and utterly vile.
"Some of the stuff that I've had has been obscene and it fuels a hatred.
"Something has to be done. When i see an experienced referee...whatever you might think of Mike Dean, nobody deserves that.
"He gets a decision wrong and it was in the last 30 seconds of the game and nothing really hinged on it but he feels the need to have to step down this weekend.
"For everybody, these big companies have got to police it better and find out who these idiots and morons are who send this vile abuse and make them be punished."
