Steve Bruce is on borrowed time at Newcastle United after the Saudi-led takeover, but may have set the Magpies’ next manager up to thrive with one decision on Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Toon’s new Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan will attend Sunday’s Premier League match at home to Tottenham Hotspur, according to 90min. He will then meet staff at St James’ Park, including Bruce, but should also give the final green light to sack the 60-year-old.
Sunday, then, may not only mark Bruce’s 1,000th game in management, but his 97th and last at Newcastle. Yet one decision on Saint-Maximin this season could hand his imminent successor a dream start to their tenure on Tyneside.
Bruce seeing best of Saint-Maximin in favourite position
Bruce has seen the best of Saint-Maximin so far this season as the current Newcastle boss has deployed the Frenchman in his favoured position. The 24-year-old has scored twice and offered three assists in seven Premier League games, each coming through the centre.
Saint-Maximin had played most of his Newcastle career on the wing until earlier this year following Callum Wilson’s hamstring injury. But the winger has now told the Premier League’s Uncut series why he prefers playing in a centralised role.
Newcastle star Saint-Maximin also explained the influence of Barcelona great Ronaldinho and Real Madrid icon Zinedine Zidane in his preference.
“Zidane and Ronaldinho. [They played with the most freedom] and they played number 10. I really love this position,” Saint-Maximin said. “[I prefer the number 10 role], it’s my best position. Because I run fast, sometimes they prefer me playing on the left or right.
“But I really love playing as a number 10. Every goal you see, I play in this position. There’s more freedom, it’s easier for me to score a goal like this [against Southampton].
“When you stay left-wing or right-wing, you are always in a line. So, you don’t have too many options, because if the defender closes you to go inside, you can just go outside. But in the middle, you can go everywhere. So, it’s harder to catch me.”
How has Bruce helped his successor?
Bruce drafted Saint-Maximin into a central role earlier this year to try and guide Newcastle to top-flight safety without Wilson. It was a decision more so through necessity than desire, and did not return instant gains.
Saint-Maximin only scored twice and assisted once in 11 appearances as either a shadow striker or Wilson’s partner and replacement. Bruce could easily have reverted back to the Frenchman playing out wide, but kept faith in the system this season.
Bruce’s decision has worked out with Saint-Maximin one of Newcastle’s most influential players, and his imminent successor should benefit, too. The forward has proven why he deserves to play in a central role with mazey runs that can create havoc. His output has also improved compared to last season’s efforts, whilst he recovered from a groin injury.
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