Steve Bruce: Sheffield Wednesday boss resigns amid Newcastle United interest

Steve Bruce took charge of Sheffield Wednesday's 3-1 pre-season friendly win against Lincoln City on Sunday

Steve Bruce has resigned as head coach of Sheffield Wednesday amid reports he is due to be named as manager of Newcastle United.

Bruce was only appointed in January and did not actually take over for another month, guiding the Owls to a 12th-place finish in the Championship.

The Magpies held talks with Bruce, 58, on Saturday and he is the overwhelming favourite to succeed Rafael Benitez.

He leaves Hillsborough with assistants Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence.

Newcastle have flown to China without a manager as they prepare to face Wolves in the Premier League Asia Trophy in Nanjing on Wednesday.

Born near Newcastle and a boyhood Magpies fan, Bruce told BBC Radio Sheffield on Sunday: "Speculation is speculation. It's in the hands of the clubs. For me, there's nothing to talk about until the two clubs reach some sort of compromise."

During his career, Bruce has managed 10 clubs, including a spell in charge of Newcastle's north-east rivals Sunderland.

Benitez left the Magpies at the expiry of his contract at the end of last season, and has said the Premier League club "did not share his vision".

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Sheffield Wednesday fans, I'm sorry your proud club has been dragged into the ungodly mess that is Ashley's Newcastle
What a loyal servant Steve Bruce has been to SWFC !?!?
I always thought Steve was a sensible sort of bloke, but with this decision he has clearly taken leave of his senses.

Does he really have no idea of what awaits him at Newcastle?
As a Newcastle fan I can only say “Steve, what have you done?”

As a Geordie he will know what is expected but as a former Sunderland manager he will be hounded out unless he has a perfect start.

I fear that this won’t last long nor will it end well.

#AshleyOut
Awful, uninspiring appointment.
Out of Newcastle by Xmas
Newcastle fans: Mike Ashley is so hated, he couldn't be more hated if he tried!!

Mike Ashley: Hold my beer......
That's relegation guaranteed then.
I feel sorry for Newcastle fans. Proper supporters in this day and age of plastic fans.
You have to have sympathy for NU fans, Ashley is a clown.
Random thought but can anyone name another manager who has taken charge of three different sets of locals rivals?

Bruce will have done Birmingham/Villa, Sheff Utd/Sheff Wed and now Sunderland/Newcastle.
I really hope Chansiri holds out for the compo and doesn't accept his resignation. as he is then unable to get employment until it is sorted. Unbelievable attitude after we helped him at the beginning of the year.
As if NUFC fans haven't suffered enough. As a Villa fan, I can say you're in for dour, boring, negative football. Bruce is an uninspired tactician with an outdated style.
I can only hope he is not appointed by Newcastle now, how arrogant and disrespectful to Sheff Wed. Old hat manager not worth the time of day in the PL. Newcastle deserve better, I feel sorry for the Toon Army.
This is the same guy who said there's no loyalty left in football!
I loved Bruce as a player,honest,wholehearted and made the most of his ability. As a manager zero respect for a man with no principles or loyalty. Not a Wednesday fan,but they took him off the scrapheap,gave him another chance then they get dumped on by this unscrupulous manager
Wow, what a statement of intent from Ashley, inspiring...

In what world do you go from Benitez to Bruce within a month?

Note the timing - season tickets went on general sale today, Ashley seems to believe this appointment may encourage people to purchase them. Please don’t be that stupid.
This guys been sacked about 50 times then he jumps ship after 6 months, no loyalty, no class
Steve Bruce has taken us for fool, he dictated to the clubs owner about when he was going to start taking a holiday in the West Indies , now he jumps ship. I hope he gets relegated and the Owls get promoted and he gets the boot.

Goodbye to bad rubbish
Soured on Bruce a bit after this. When a manager is sacked quickly, boards are often bemoaned for lack of loyalty. But where’s Bruce’s loyalty to Sheffield Wednesday? They gave him a chance to rebuild his image after a few poor managerial stints, and he’s off after 6 months? Poor show, Steve!