“The Newcastle job is a massive challenge for Steve Bruce, don’t get me wrong, Newcastle are a huge club, but he’s having to follow Benitez, who has been one of the most popular managers they’ve ever had. So he’s got his work cut out – it’s the biggest job he’s taken on. He’s highly regarded at Wednesday, the fans have taken to him. He had a good run late in the season and nearly got them in the play-offs. Four or five more wins and they might have been in the top six.
“Everybody is expecting good things from Wednesday. They’re in pre-season and have been to Portugal and look fit, sharp and ready to go. So to go and speak to Newcastle, a lot of people are taking a step back and asking, ‘Why?’ They’ll be upset that he wants to leave. I’m surprised by it, too, because he was starting to build a team gearing up for the Premier League. Newcastle have lost Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez as well, with only a short time now before the first game of the season.
“I would have thought that Old Trafford would have been the job he has always wanted. He’s managed Sunderland too, of course, which the Newcastle fans will pick up on very quickly. I don’t think he’s scared of a challenge, and he’s had some success at a few clubs, and not much success at others. I like the bloke. He talks a lot of sense and wants his players to work hard. He knows the Geordie public, which will stand him in good stead. If he keeps Newcastle up, he will have done well. But he’s not daft – if it isn’t working out, he’ll expect a lot of pressure from the fans and the owner.’’