STEVE BRUCE backs himself to turn Newcastle into title-challengers if a Saudi-led £300million takeover is completed – but is “in the dark” over whether he will be given the chance
Bruce is dreaming of becoming another “Pep or Jurgen” at the top of the management tree but speculation is mounting that he will be replaced by a big name like Mauricio Pochettino or Rafa Benitez.
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce is waiting to find out if the takeover will be completed and then if the new owners want to keep himCredit: Reuters
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is behind a consortium who could be on the brink of taking over NewcastleCredit: AP:Associated Press
Newcastle’s controversial buy-out by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is reportedly “on the verge of completion”.
And former Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa chief Bruce believes he would use the huge cash injection to produce an all-time great Toon side, rivalling those of Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan two decades ago.
Bruce told Sky Sports: “We all aspire to be Pep (Guardiola), Jurgen (Klopp)… these great managers who’ve been a breath of fresh air to football.
“If it’s good for Newcastle, and the club are going to try to compete with these teams, to be part of it would be great.
To be in a position where you’re challenging, and have a good enough team as Newcastle did in 1995 would be wonderful. I’d back myself.
Steve Bruce
“I’d back myself against most people in that division… to be in a position where you’re actually challenging, and you have a good enough team as Newcastle did in 1995 and under Sir Bobby Robson as well.
“It would be wonderful. I’d back myself, of course I would.”
Bin Salman’s brother’s Turki Bin Salman posted a photo on Instagram with a fingerprint above the Newcastle club crest, increasing suggestions the takeover has been virtually sealed.
And the Premier League has largely been silent on what seemed the only two obstacles.
There were claims Prem chiefs had been sent more paperwork linking the Saudi consortium with an illegal TV streaming service.
And it is uncertain if Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, will be able to meet League bosses in time to voice her concerns.
Saudi authorities have denied the CIA’s conclusion that Bin Salman himself was behind Khashoggi’s assassination.
Asked about his own position, Bruce said: “I have a wonderful working relationship with Lee Charnley (Newcastle managing director) and he told me, ‘When there’s something to tell you, Steve, I’ll tell you’.
“We’ve left it at that and gone back to work. I’m in the dark like most other people, and for that, I’m glad, really, because I can’t comment on it.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
