Newcastle United job is the 'pinnacle' for Steve Bruce as he rolls back on Sunderland 'dream' quotes

The Geordie has overseen an eight-game winless run at United, which culminated in a shock 1-0 loss at Sheffield United, who themselves were on the back of a 20-game stretch without a Premier League victory.

The run and that result, coupled with the progressively worsening style and substance of his side, has seen Bruce come under a blanket of criticism from fans, media, ex-players, pundits and more.

Bruce, however, is no mood to give up, despite a Bruce Out campaign gaining significant traction online and the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust – with around a 15,000-strong membership – sending a letter to the club hierarchy calling for change, laying down fears the club are again ‘sleepwalking’ towards top flight relegation.

And while he admits he may not be the most ‘blessed’ manager in certain departments, he does not lack fight.

“I’ve waited my whole life for an opportunity like this. Certainly, being from here, I regard it, in management anyway, as the pinnacle.

“I have to accept, the other day, if I was a supporter or anyone else associated with Newcastle, I can’t accept what I saw. I chose this profession and how lucky have I been? I’ve been involved as a player for 20 years and a manager for 20 years. I’ve done nearly a 1000 games [as a manager[ 500 of them in the PL and results are the key to it. I can take it, you have to take it and not get too low when things are tough. I’ve got to keep myself positive. If I am lower than a snake’s belly, how can I expect a positive reaction from the players too?

“So, I’ll never, ever give up. I made a career out of being a bang average player, I got the best out of myself. The same is true in management, I might not be blessed with this, that and the other but I will always roll my sleeves up and get on it with. I’ll never walk away from a challenge, especially when you come under pressure."

Back in 2009 when he was Sunderland boss, Bruce said: "Managing Newcastle has never been my dream."

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