Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has demanded answers from the club's managing director Lee Charnley as the pressure mounts on Steve Bruce.
The head coach 's future has come under scrutiny following Tuesday night's dismal defeat at Sheffield United, a result which means it is now eight matches without a win for the Magpies.
Following two cup exits in quick succession, Newcastle are facing up to the reality of a relegation battle with fixtures against Arsenal, Leeds and Everton on the horizon.
Sections of the fanbase have turned on Bruce and have demanded a change in management, although ChronicleLive understands his job is not under immediate threat.
Writing in his column for the Athletic, Shearer labelled his former side's performance in the defeat at Bramall Lane as 'bloody awful'.
The legendary number nine admits the head coach and his friend is now under 'massive pressure', but believes he has been hung out to dry by the deafening silence from the likes of the club's managing director.
Shearer wrote in the Athletic : "There should be some mitgation this time, as well - COVID-19, the number of games, the lack of pre-season - and what really irks me is how little protection Steve has received from the people above him.
"Where is Lee Charnley? What happened to that statement of his where he admitted the error of not communicating with fans?
"Where is his backing for the manager? Where is the strategy? Come on, Lee, where are you?
"Where is anyone, aside from Steve?"
You can read Alan Shearer's full column with the Athletic here.
