Former Newcastle United player Mick Martin spoke to The Chronicle about Steve Bruce and the work he has done since his appointment at the start of last season.
Bruce, a boyhood Newcastle United fan, grabbed the opportunity to manage his local club with both hands, but he wasn’t welcomed at St. James’ Park. Magpies fans weren’t happy with Rafa Benitez’s departure, and appointing a former Sunderland boss wasn’t the best idea.
However, Bruce has proved his doubters wrong. Newcastle had a very good campaign last term. The Magpies finished 13th in the table and made it into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. That is an impressive achievement for a club who were tipped by many to go down.
Newcastle have started this season well too. Bruce’s men have lost just two of their opening seven games, and their win against Everton this weekend was extremely impressive.
Mick Martin has delivered his verdict on Bruce amid constant criticism from a section of the fan base. The former Newcastle man has claimed that the Magpies boss should be commended, not criticised.
Martin: Pochettino wouldn’t have done a better job than Bruce
He said: “Steve Bruce is doing a great job – and under severe pressure too. It was a super result at the weekend against an Everton side that have started the new season particularly well. They are playing well but you will always get people, and I’m not being disrespectful to anybody, looking for Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho or Arsene Wenger in charge because of their CV.”
“But I honestly don’t believe that any of them could have done what Steve Bruce has done with what he’s had, keeping the team well away from danger for 18 months and reaching two cup quarter-finals. Look at the players he has had available to him, some of them are still on the books from previous managers, some of them dating back five or six years.”
“I don’t think it’s a valid to criticise Steve Bruce with 11 points from seven games, he should be commended. But I think a manager like Steve thrives off getting some stick from supporters because when they turn it around they can look back with a smile on their face.”
With the talks of a potential takeover not going away, Bruce will remain under constant pressure. Martin feels that Pochettino wouldn’t have done a better job at Newcastle, but if the former Spurs man is ready to be the next Magpies boss, most fans will likely take him over their current manager.
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