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Steve Bruce reveals two names he recommended to Newcastle after sacking

Steve Bruce has revealed he recommended both Eddie Howe and Steven Gerrard to Newcastle following his dismissal.

The former Manchester United captain was in charge of the Magpies between 2019 and 2021, but was sacked just 13 days after the club's Saudi takeover.

Bruce guided Newcastle to 13th and 12th-place finishes in the Premier League

Bruce guided Newcastle to 13th and 12th-place finishes in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Bruce endured a difficult spell at St James' Park, boasting a win rate of just 28.9 per cent over the two years.

Things weren't helped by the fact he previously managed bitter rivals Sunderland, and he was never fully accepted by the Toon Army, with many supporters calling on him to be axed long before he got the chop in October 2021.

Bruce was dismissed just eight games into the season, with Newcastle 19th in the table.

The decision came less than two weeks after the club was bought for £300million by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

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In Bruce's place, the new ownership moved to replace him with former Bournemouth boss Howe, who has enjoyed huge success in the North East in the years since.

But his career on Tyneside might never have got going if it wasn't for some intervention from his predecessor.

'Got to be the next England manager'

In an appearance on talkSPORT, Bruce revealed his conversations with new Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley prior to the appointment, where he recommended then Rangers boss Gerrard, and Howe.

The ex-Toon manager said: “I'm going to say this publicly now, and I think people have heard it before.

“Amanda Staveley asked me, when I was leaving Newcastle, who I would recommend.

“I recommended Steven Gerrard, and Eddie Howe - because I do think he's very, very talented, and has got to be the next England manager surely.

Howe boasts a 50 per cent win rate in charge of Newcastle

Howe boasts a 50 per cent win rate in charge of NewcastleCredit: Getty

Steven Gerrard celebrates winning title with Rangers

Gerrard guided Rangers to an unbeaten season and league glory in 2020/21Credit: Getty

“He's a very, very talented lad, and he's gone on to prove it at Newcastle - not that he had anything to prove.”

It's fair to say both coaches were hugely tempting options at the time - with Gerrard guiding Rangers to a first Scottish title in a decade in 2021.

Meanwhile, Howe had taken Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League across two spells between 2008 and 2020.

Ultimately Newcastle's new ownership opted for the latter, and Bruce heaped praise on his successor as he revealed what prompted him to recommend Howe.

He said of the current Magpies boss: “I just think he's very, very thorough in what he does. He has a really great approach to it.

“His teams are always up and at you, which I enjoyed watching them at the time. You see, he always has pace in his team in a wide area.

Bruce recalled giving Howe a huge vote of confidence to Newcastle's new owners

The Englishman placed himself among the Magpies' greatest ever managers with Carabao Cup glory last season

The Englishman placed himself among the Magpies' greatest ever managers with Carabao Cup glory last seasonCredit: Getty

“He's just a very, very talented, talented human being, and he's likeable - you don't see him mouthing off or anything like that.

“What you see is what you get. A very, very good human being as well.

It's fair to say Bruce has been proven right in his endorsement of Howe over the years.

In his first full season in charge of Newcastle, Howe guided the club to the Carabao Cup final, as well as Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years with a fourth-place league finish.