Newcastle United need to end this painful era of stagnation, and that begins with #BruceOut.
Newcastle United should not be a team involved in successive relegation battles, especially not this season with the new talent they added. The atrocious football the Magpies put on display against Brighton last weekend re-opened the door to invite more pessimism.
This season’s squad is the best team Steve Bruce has ever managed on paper, yet it only took two weeks for the Manchester United legend to experiment with the wrong tactics. Fans have simply had enough.
Last season, fans tried to give Bruce the benefit of the doubt when he shifted between the 3-5-2, 4-5-1, and 4-2-3-1 formations as he tried to fill the void of world-class manager Rafa Benitez.
Well, the time for experimental football is over. A manager either has a system in place by now, or they have no idea what their long-term plan is. At this point, it literally feels like Bruce is just taking things week by week, and praying that a few players can pull of some trickery to get the team over the line.
Bruce Out
Enough is enough. Bruce needs to go. Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is not likely to act quickly in that regard, if at all this season, but he would definitely start to turn the corner with fans if he gives Bruce the pink slip sooner rather than later.
The key thing, though, is finding a proper replacement. Hiring a manager who understands the game, and earns the respect of the dressing room. Moreover, it is important to bring in a manager who is grounded, and appreciates the importance of Newcastle United to the city and the north east.
That man, in my opinion, is Chris Hughton. Currently unemployed, Hughton’s last managerial job was in the Premier League with Brighton, and he is eager to get back on the sideline.
Hughton was a popular figure with the Toon Army, players enjoyed playing for him, and several players were fuming when he was sacked for no reason by Ashley just before the halfway point of the 2010-11 campaign. Fans also organized protests to show their support for the man who was wrongly fired.
This was the man who only let the Toon suffer four defeats in the 2009-10 Championship campaign to claim the title and earn immediate promotion. Hughton had Newcastle United in a comfortable mid-table position when he was sacked the following season, and he continued to show his value at other clubs.
Hughton led Birmingham City to the Europa League group stage in 2011, led Norwich City to an 11th place finish the season after that, earned promotion with Brighton, kept Brighton in the top flight, and even led the Seagulls to the FA Cup Semi-Finals two years ago.
Is his track record amazing? No, but that is also because he managed mediocre clubs. Regardless, he reached new heights with those clubs, and he would certainly develop some much-needed consistency at St. James’ Park this season.
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Hughton agreeing to work with the man who sacked him for no reason once again could be an insurmountable challenge in and of itself, but his admiration for Newcastle United is why the idea should not be written off.
Ashley’s actions and shift in transfer policies as of late have many fans raising their eyebrows, wondering what is happening with the man who has neglected the club for so long.
I am just as confused as all of you, but one thing is for certain, Ashley would be making a bold, wise move by pursuing a reunion with Hughton.
What are your thoughts regarding this proposal? Is it a good idea, wishful thinking, or too unlikely to even think about? Let me know in the comments section below.