Ex-Sunderland man leaves Newcastle United role for Gateshead after taking Cats fans swipe in 2021
The former Sunderland man has departed Newcastle United to take up a new role at Gateshead
Former Sunderland man Liam Bridcutt has left Newcastle United to join Gateshead.
The National League club have appointed Carl Magnay as their new manager with former Brighton, Blackpool and Lincoln City plater Bridcutt joining as his assistant after the pair spent time together at Chelsea during their youth days.
The former Leeds United loanee leaves Newcastle United, where he was appointed as a sessional coach last September, to join Gateshead. Bridcutt, 35, had been working with the youth setup in an understudy capacity with the Tynesiders on a temporary basis.
Bridcutt started his career at Chelsea before finding regular football at Brighton & Hove Albion, making 151 appearances over four seasons with the Seagulls. The central midfielder, who can also play in defence, was then brought to Sunderland by former manager Gus Poyet during the 2013-14 season but struggled to make an impact at the Stadium of Light.
Stints at Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Bolton Wanderers and Lincoln City followed before Bridcutt linked up with former Imps boss Michael Appleton at Blackpool once more but has since retired from his playing career hence the new role at Gateshead.
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"We are delighted to confirm the appointments of Carl and Liam," Gateshead chaiman Neil Pinkerton said. “It was hugely important to the board that the necessary time be taken to bring the right people to the club, and we appreciate our supporters patience over recent weeks. We look forward to seeing them get to work this week."
Back in 2021, Bridcutt took a swipe at the fans of former club Sunderland and claimed that supporters were ruining the club back when the Black Cats were in League One.
He said: "The fans are massive for that club, they make the club as big as what it is. But they’re actually ruining their own club in terms of how they are with players on the pitch. They have to realise that they are League One players and it is what it is. You either adapt and say we realise there’s going to be more mistakes than in the Premier League.
"But like I say about last season, they’re actually doing alright and their home record is probably the best that they’ve had in the past four or five years because there’s no fans, which is embarrassing. I guarantee - I remember after every game there used to be like 2,000 people to tell you either you’ve done alright or tell you you’re rubbish."