Jeff Stelling made it clear to Clinton Morrison that Steve Bruce was sacked without a new manager instantly being brought in because it had become ‘toxic’ at Newcastle.
The former Crystal Palace player also questioned on Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (30/10/21 at 2:50 pm) why Graeme Jones stayed on at Newcastle if it had indeed become ‘toxic’, yet Bruce was given the boot.
It has been just over a week since the Magpies parted ways with Bruce, and in truth, not much has changed, both on and off the field.
After recording a draw at Crystal Palace last time out, they were well and truly outclassed by Chelsea on Saturday at St James’ Park.
It leaves the Magpies in the relegation zone, without a win and the possibility that Norwich can overtake them on Sunday if they beat Leeds.
But when Morrison ranted about Newcastle’s current situation, Stelling fired back and explained why such calls with Bruce were made.
“I don’t know why it’s taken this long to go and employ a manager,” said Morrison. “I have seen they have been linked to Favre, Fonseca, to all these kinds of managers. John Terry, I have seen today thrown into the mix.
“All these managers, how come they haven’t brought anyone yet? They have all these people that have come to this club, what you have to realise is that Newcastle are in a relegation battle. I don’t care. You can’t sign anyone until January. It’s going to be a struggle.”
Stelling responded: “It has gone quiet, but if they haven’t got anyone, what do they say? If they haven’t got anyone, they aren’t going to say ‘we are going to get him and him’.”
Morrison then added: “I understand that. But why get of Steve Bruce then and keep Graeme Jones?”
When the former striker is told by Stelling ‘because it was toxic’, he then responded with the following: “But Graeme Jones is his assistant manager, so if he’s toxic with Steve Bruce, then why isn’t it toxic with Jones? He was there. He was buying into what Steve Bruce was doing, unless he wasn’t.”
Things do become slightly desperate and worrying for Newcastle now and fans will start to fear the worst.
At this rate, by the time the new manager comes in, they will have to play catch-up, which could cause a number of panic-like calls being made.
Newcastle are fully aware that they have the January transfer window to make changes.
But all of that is a long, long way yet and many months of football remain.
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