Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley claims Steve Bruce ‘didn’t even want to come in to work’ ahead of the club’s £305m Saudi-backed takeover in 2021
- Staveley led the Saudi-backed takeover and brought about ‘dramatic change’
- Bruce left by mutual consent just 13 days after the takeover was completed
- CHRIS SUTTON and IAN LADYMAN give their title predictions (finally!) – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Amanda Staveley has claimed Steve Bruce ‘didn’t even want to work’ when her Saudi-backed consortium completed its takeover of Newcastle United.
The new ownership group, comprising Staveley’s PCP Capital, Jamie Reuben-led RB Sports & Media, and Saudi Arabia’s public wealth fund the Public Investment Fund (PIF), bought the club from Sports Direct chief executive Mike Ashley in October 2021 .
Under their new owners, Newcastle made rapid changes, with one of their first business orders being the sacking of Bruce, who had been in charge of the Magpies since 19 July.
The former Manchester United captain had just one match in charge at the start of the new regime, overseeing a 3-2 defeat to Tottenham at St James’ Park before being handed an £8million payout and replaced by the current head coach Eddie Howe.
But Staveley has suggested that Bruce was reluctant to join ahead of the controversial takeover, which came as the club languished in 19th place in the Premier League.
Amanda Staveley discussed the ‘dramatic change’ made at Newcastle following the club’s takeover
Steve Bruce had one game under new ownership before leaving by mutual consent
The Stavely-led consortium sees its PCP Capital share leadership with RB Sports & Media and 80 percent of stakeholders PIF – led by chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan (center left)
“A dramatic change was needed as the club was run in a very different format,” Staveley said in comments at the Bloomberg Power Players’ Summit in Jeddah.
‘We had little commercial income, we had a team that was getting older, a fan base that was angry and a coach that didn’t even want to come to work.
“We had to inject it with life.”
Bruce has been contacted by Mail Sport for comment.
From the day of the takeover, there had been speculation that the new owners would be keen to say goodbye to Bruce as soon as possible. was clear about his prospects.
“I want to continue, I would like the opportunity to show the new owners what I can do, but you have to be realistic and they might want a new manager to launch things for them,” Bruce said on the day of the match . to take over.
‘New owners normally want a new manager. I’ve been there long enough to understand that.
‘That decision is not up to me. I accept that and I accept whatever comes my way. I have to wait to have those conversations with people when the time is right.
‘If I don’t make it to 1,000 games against Spurs you could say that could only happen to me, but I don’t think it would be cruel. It’s just football.’
Bruce was replaced by Eddie Howe just over two weeks after the former’s departure
The former Bournemouth manager helped the club to an eleventh-place finish after his first season, and to the Champions League a year later.
Just 13 days later, Bruce left by mutual consent and Howe later led the side out of the relegation places to finish his first campaign in 11th.
Staveley, who is a strong supporter of Saudi Arabia’s sports investment projects, also shared her desire to see a Saudi Pro League team join Europe’s flagship Champions League in the near future.
“I’m pretty sure there will be a Saudi club in the Champions League soon,” Staveley continued.
“Knowing Saudi, I don’t think it will last long.”
