Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo hopes Steve Bruce does not retire after Newcastle United confirmed they had fired the coach on Wednesday, via football.london.
The Toon have parted with Bruce following the Saudi-led takeover at St James’ Park earlier this month. Graeme Jones has taken charge on a caretaker basis while club chiefs look for a permanent replacement, with the Magpies inside the bottom-three of the Premier League.
Bruce revealed to The Telegraph after Newcastle announced they had fired the 60-year-old that he could now retire. Sunday’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur marked his 1,000th game as a manager, with spells at Sunderland, Hull City, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday.
Nuno built a rapport with Bruce during the now-departed Newcastle boss’ time with Aston Villa while he led rivals Wolves. The Portuguese says it is sad to see his former counterpart lose his job, but hopes the United gig is not his last spell in a dugout.
“Bad news,” Nuno stated. “It’s always sad that someone loses a job and I have great respect and admiration for Steve. We know each other a while ago. We start in the Championship when we arrived, the derbies against Villa and we built a normal relationship. It’s very bad news. I hope he doesn’t retire, I think he still has a lot to give to the game.”
Bruce to retire, as Newcastle fire manager after two-years?
Bruce stood at the Newcastle helm for two-years and three-months after replacing fans’ favourite Rafa Benitez in 2019. His tenure returned 13th and 12th-placed finishes, but sit 19th in the table after eight games so far this season.
The 60-year-old admits he could now hang up his whistle after the toll managing the Toon took on his family. But will not rule out a return to a dugout in the future if a call comes.
“I think this might be my last job,” Bruce told The Telegraph. “It’s not just about me; it’s taken its toll on my whole family because they are all Geordies, and I can’t ignore that. They have been worried about me, especially my wife Jan.
Adding: “I’m 60-years-old and I don’t know if I want to put her through it again. We’ve got a good life so, yeah, this will probably be me done as a manager… Until I get a phone call from a Chairman somewhere asking if I can give them a hand. Never say never.”
Newcastle have a number of names on their shortlist to replace Bruce as the club’s next manager. Reports by AS even include Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone as a candidate.
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