At least one Newcastle United player privately referred to Steve Bruce as ‘Mike Bassett’ after his many press conference ‘gaffes’, the Athletic claim.
New nickname
Newcastle’s players apparently began listening to sound-bites from Bruce’s media interviews in his final few months at the club, as they began to pick up on some of his mistakes.
Bruce’s conduct reportedly earned him the label ‘Mike Bassett’ with at least one Newcastle player, and potentially more.
Bassett was a hapless England manager in one of the most famous footballing comedy films.
The pet name, therefore, reflects poorly on Bruce – whose job practically became untenable towards the end.
Losing the fans
The 60-year-old was not only facing apparent jibes from some Newcastle players, but supporters had also firmly turned on him.
Newcastle fans chanted loudly against his management in their last home game, as they fell to a defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
The Magpies ultimately ended up collecting just three points from their first eight Premier League games, which leaves them in a precarious position.
Bruce had tried to get Newcastle playing with a more positive style this season, but by doing so he sacrificed some of the side’s defensive qualities.
And whoever takes over at Newcastle’s first task will now be to guide the club away from the relegation zone.
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