Newcastle United parted with manager Steve Bruce on Wednesday as the Premier League club made their first big change under their new Saudi-backed owners.
The consortium — that includes the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund PIF (Public Investment Fund) as majority partner alongside British-based Reuben brothers and financier Amanda Staveley — decided to move quickly and Bruce's time in charge came to an end soon after the 3-2 defeat at home to Tottenham.
Bruce was appointed in the summer of 2019, replacing Rafa Benitez as manager after the Spaniard left the club blaming broken promises and lack of ambition of the then owner Mike Ashley for his exit.
Benitez was hugely popular with Newcastle fans, which only increased the pressure on Tyneside-born Bruce, who had turned down the job earlier in his managerial career and had also been in charge of local rivals Sunderland between 2009-11.
Benitez, a La Liga and Champions League winning manager, had left and a man whose coaching CV highlights were securing three promotions to England’s top-flight, plus an FA Cup runner’s up medal, taken over.
“I’ve heard it said that I’m a puppet but I’m not Mike Ashley’s bagman or anything else. I’m my own man. All I ask is to be given a chance,” said Bruce after his appointment.
Results in his first season were mixed — the Magpies did reach their first FA Cup quarter-final since 2006 while also struggling badly for goals throughout the campaign — but Bruce secured the sole priority of any Newcastle manager during the Ashley era: Premier League survival.
Newcastle-Tottenham player ratings
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NEWCASTLE UNITED RATINGS: Karl Darlow 5 - Didn’t make any notable saves but couldn’t do much about a trio of well-taken Spurs goals. EPA -
Matt Ritchie 6 - Found space to deliver a number of crosses into the box but couldn’t find a Newcastle shirt. Getty -
Ciaran Clark 6 - Had a tough day against Harry Kane, picking up a booking for an obvious foul on the Spurs striker. It was too easy for Spurs to play through the lines at times. Reuters -
Jamaal Lascelles 6 - Defending looked messy in the first half but it was a more promising performance in the second, with Lascelles frequently first to the ball to clear. AP -
Javier Manquillo 7 - The full-back got the hosts ahead with an astute overlap and cross that put the ball on a plate for Callum Wilson, but the Spanish star could have been better on the defensive side of his game. Reuters -
Isaac Hayden 7 - Made some important tackles in spells of the opposition’s possession, but the players further advanced couldn’t get a grip of the game. Reuters -
Joelinton 5 - The Brazilian featured from the left-hand side for the Magpies, though it’s not clear what Joelinton offers there. A bad day at the office. Reuters -
Sean Longstaff 5 - A quiet game before being withdrawn on the hour mark. The Newcastle midfield was non-existent for most of the game as Spurs garnered more and more control after going down. AFP -
Joe Willock 5 - While Willock looked to press to break Spurs spells of possession, the midfielder was too anonymous for most of the game. AFP -
Allan Saint-Maximin 6 - Played a part in the opening goal but the tricky winger only came into the game in spells, with a couple of shots blasted off target from direct dribbles. AP -
Callum Wilson 7 - The first goal of the new era for the Magpies came from Callum Wilson’s well-taken header as he latched onto a pinpoint Javier Manquillo cross. Reuters -
SUBS: Jonjo Shelvey (Longstaff 60) N/A - Not the comeback the midfielder would have wanted after being substituted on… and then sent off! PA -
Ryan Fraser (Wilson 77') N/A - On for Wilson in the last phase of the game but Newcastle couldn’t break Spurs down. Jacob Murphy (Willock 77') N/A - Introduced for Willock but needed more time to change the game. AFP -
TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris 6 - Not much to do other than pick the ball out of the net for the opener. AFP -
Sergio Reguilon 7 - Utilised his pace when going forward that proved to be a problem for Newcastle as they looked to focus on Heung-Min Son. Deserving of his assist. Getty -
Eric Dier 6 - The Spurs defender was faultless until a freak own goal saw him head the ball past Hugo Lloris in the 89th minute. AP -
Cristian Romero 7 - Calm on the ball going forward while making a number of solid defensive plays at the back for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. Getty -
Emerson 7 - Positive on both ends of the pitch with the Brazilian helping provide space for Lucas and Spurs’ attacking quartet. An assuring performance at the back too. AP -
Oliver Skipp 6 - Kept the play ticking in the middle of the park as Spurs took control of the game after the home side’s early spell of promise. Getty -
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 7 - A precision pass cut the Newcastle defence open for Kane who made no mistake with the finish. AFP -
Heung-Min Son 7 - The winger looked bright at St. James’ Park and looked to challenge defenders in 1v1 situations. Clever movement at the back post helped finish a well-crafted move to put Spurs 3-1 up before the break. Getty -
Tanguy Ndombele 8 - The French talisman was at the heart of the majority of Spurs attacks and took his goal with class, whipping the ball into the far corner from just inside the box. Ndombele was difficult to contend with on the day. The star performer. EPA -
Lucas Moura 7 - Stretched the play down the right-hand side and was unlucky not to score, smashing a header onto the woodwork from a corner. Vital in the third goal after an incisive ball found Kane in space who cut back for Son. Getty -
Harry Kane 7 - A first goal of the season for the Spurs frontman as he carefully lifted the ball over Karl Darlow to claim the lead. The England star picked up an assist as well, allowing Son to tap the ball home. EPA
Newcastle finished 13th, matching the previous season's effort achieved by Benitez, but supporters remained unhappy at what they perceived as Bruce's negative tactics and lack of attacking flair — bar their enigmatic Frenchman Allan Saint-Maximin.
The arrival of striker Callum Wilson during the summer gave Newcastle a much-needed boost up front but the campaign became another survival slog. One disastrous mid-season run saw Bruce's side win twice in 19 games and a third relegation under Ashley's ownership seemed on the cards.
But, inspired by the goals of on-loan Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock, Newcastle finished the season well — winning five and drawing two of their final nine matches. The team would finish a respectable 12th.
With Willock's permanent move the only transfer arrival during the summer — much to fans' frustration with even Bruce expressing rare public disappointment — the team has struggled again this term and sit second bottom without a win from eight games.
In the above gallery, we take a look at the best and worst results of Bruce's time in charge.
The Bruce era
2019/20 season
Premier League: 13th
Top goalscorer: Miguel Almiron — eight
League Cup: Second round — Newcastle 1 Leicester City 1. Leicester won 4-2 on penalties
FA Cup: Quarter-finals — Newcastle 0 Manchester City 2
2020/21 season
Premier League: 12th
Top goalscorer: Callum Wilson — 12
League Cup: Quarter-finals — Brentford 1 Newcastle 0
FA Cup: Third round — Arsenal 2 Newcastle 0
2021/22 season (Bruce leaves by mutual consent on October 20, 2021)
Premier League (eight games) 19th
Top goalscorer Callum Wilson — three
League Cup Second round — Newcastle 0 Burnley 0. Burnley won 4-3 on penalties
