Steve Bruce is still determined to fight on as Newcastle manager

Steve Bruce insists he is determined to fight on as Newcastle manager despite threat of the axe – as he oversees 1,000th professional game as a boss

• Steve Bruce has vowed to fight on as Newcastle boss after being given reprieve 
• The under-fire manager was expected to be sacked after the club’s takeover 
• However, the Magpies’ new owners have confirmed he will take charge vs Spurs
• Bruce, 60, says he wants to continue amid Newcastle’s exciting new future 

Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce remains determined to hang on to his job despite speculation that he will be replaced by the club’s new owners.

Bruce, whose presence in the dugout for what will be his 1,000th professional game as a manager had been confirmed earlier in a club statement, said at his pre-match press conference after being asked if he relished the opportunity to win over the new regime: ‘Who wouldn’t want to try? I’m not going to give up the hope of it.

‘Who wouldn’t want this job now going forward, the way it is, the way it looks in the future? Who wouldn’t want the opportunity to manage Newcastle?

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has vowed to fight on despite growing pressure on his position

The 60-year-old was expected to be sacked by the club’s new owners amid a torrid run

‘Certainly I would and I’m sure there’s hundreds who’d want to do the same thing. There are exciting times ahead for the club, that’s for sure.’

Bruce’s future has been the topic of intense debate since the Saudi-backed consortium completed its takeover last Thursday amid reports that he would be sacked this week.

However, he was adopting a defiant stance as he spoke to the media for the first time since the deal was confirmed.

He said: ‘It’s not about me personally. I’ve tried to keep my respect and dignity, which has probably served me well over the last 20-odd years, and that will remain.

However, Amanda Staveley has confirmed that Bruce will take charge of the game vs Spurs

Bruce – who will oversee his 1,000th professional game – wants to stay on at the club 

‘It’s been difficult, of course, but I hope you guys are getting a slap now from your bosses to say that you haven’t done your job. Whoever your source was, whoever it was who was feeding you didn’t get it right, so I hope you’re feeling a bit of heat.’

Asked if he was concerned about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, and issue which has prompted Amnesty International to accuse the Middle East nation of ‘sportswashing’ Bruce said: ‘Look, as far as I’m concerned, I’m sure people will look into that. That’s for politicians and all the rest of it to decide on that.

‘It’s a great thing for the club of Newcastle and for me, the city too. I’ve seen the transformation in Manchester – not just for the football club, but for the city too – and I hope for the area and for the people and the supporters that there are exciting times ahead.’

More to follow.

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