Steve Bruce: Newcastle supporters condemn ‘unambitious’ appointment and call for mass boycott
Newcastle supporters are unhappy with the decision to appoint Bruce
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Your support makes all the difference.Steve Bruce faces the difficult job of uniting a disgruntled Newcastle fanbase from the moment he starts his new job.
Bruce’s announcement as Newcastle’s new manager, replacing popular boss Rafa Benitez, has been met by anger from Newcastle supporters.
Nine Newcastle supporter groups have called on fans to boycott their first home game of the season against Arsenal as a protest against the management of the club.
A statement from supporters describes Bruce as an “unambitious appointment by an unambitious owner.”
It added: “To go from a world-class manager in Rafa Benitez, who brought stability and unity to the club to Steve Bruce - who frankly wouldn’t get a job at any other Premier League side right now - in the space of six weeks is beyond disappointing.”
Fans have united in protest against Mike Ashley’s ownership of the club before staging previous walkouts and boycotts. They are now urging him to “sell the club to a party that genuinely wants to take the club forward.”
“Most Premier League clubs look to the continent or lower divisions for young, promising, forward-thinking managers in the mould of Pochettino, Gracia and Santo - who bring a new brand of football to a highly-competitive league. In Bruce, Mike Ashley has opted for a manager who has been relegated from the league numerous times - he isn’t even a safe pair of hands.
“Bruce’s appointment is testament to Ashley’s continued mismanagement of Newcastle United Football Club, which has been the hallmark of his tenure.”
Bruce acknowledged that getting the backing of the supporters will be an immediate test. "There is a huge challenge ahead of us, but it's one that my staff and I are ready for. We'll roll our sleeves up and we'll be giving it everything from the off to ensure supporters have a successful team that they can be proud of."
Bruce was given an immediate indication of the size of the task facing him as Newcastle were outplayed by Wolves to lose 4-0 in the opening match of the Premier League Asia Trophy in Nanjing.
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