Steve Bruce Speaks for First Time on Newcastle Takeover & His Future at St James' Park
By Ali Rampling
Steve Bruce has spoken out for the first time about Newcastle's proposed Saudi takeover, stating that although he is still 'in the dark' about things, he backs himself as the man to lead the club should the deal be completed.
The Magpies prospective £300m takeover - fronted by Amanda Staveley and backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) - is currently in the hands of the Premier League.
The takeover hit a stumbling block earlier in the month, with links emerging between the Saudi government and a pirate TV platform that illegally streams Premier League matches.
On the current situation, Bruce told Sky Sports: "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. It's not worth talking about it as I really don't know."
Following the news of the proposed takeover, speculation began over whether Bruce - an appointment of current owner Mike Ashley - would maintain his position, or whether the new top brass would seek a more high profile manager.
Mauricio Pochettino, Rafa Benitez, Massimiliano Allegri and Julian Nagelsmann have all been linked with the St James' Park hot seat.
However, Bruce is confident he could be the man to lead the club into the new era, with the aspiration of challenging the Premier League's big boys really appealing to him.
"If it's good for Newcastle, and the club are going to try to compete with these [top six] teams, to be part of it would be great," he added. "I would love to see it and I'd love to be part of it.
"I hope it's where it goes, but in the meantime I'll just crack on, wait, roll my sleeves up and get on with trying to get some results to try and get the club going forward.
"But 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, then it would be wonderful. I'd back myself, of course I would.
"Management, whether you're managing in the lower division or you're right at the top, it's about getting the best out of what you've got.
"And if you can do that, I'd back myself to have a crack at it. I'd be confident that I'd be able to do it. Whether that's ever going to be the case, who knows?"