Steve Bruce has hit back at former Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle after he criticised his training ground culture and lack of tactical acumen during their time together on Tyneside.
Bruce fired back at Gayle following Blackpool’s 2-0 win away at Northampton Town – claiming he will only take criticism from people “more established” than Gayle.
The former Toon boss also mocked the “legendary Dwight Gayle”, pointing out his big miss in our quarter-final clash with Man City, insisting his 1,050 games managed is proof he knows what he’s going.
The 64-year-old added: “I’ve been around the block a long, long time. I’ve only managed 1,050 games but, according to Dwight, I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ll let other people make their minds up who are a bit more established than Dwight ever was.” Watch his response below:
“I’ll let other people make their mind up, who are a bit more established than Dwight ever was” 😬
Steve Bruce has fired back after Dwight Gayle criticised his coaching methods at Newcastle 👀@BBCLancsSport #NUFC pic.twitter.com/8oqYAQqbJy
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 23, 2025
He has an extremely high opinion of himself considering he boasts the second worst win percentage of all Premier League managers with over 200 games. So, really, that old line about his experience at the top wears a bit thin when you consider his track record.
Gayle pulled no punches as he spoke to the Open Goal podcast, declaring Bruce told him he ‘doesn’t do tactics.’ The not-so-stunning claim comes in revelations about a lack of tactical input from the manager away to Man City. Gayle said:
‘We came in at half time and we were two or three down, and he was like “Boys, you keep asking for tactics, I don’t do tactics, just put your boots on and work hard.”’
The most shocking thing about the former Palace striker’s claims is that they are entirely believable and something which many fans witnessed during Bruce’s horrendous two years in charge at the club.
Bruce clearly has an extremely high opinion of himself considering he boasts the second worst win percentage of all Premier League managers who have managed over 200 games. The ex-Man Utd defender has taken a needless, classless personal dig at Gayle too in a move that reeks of bitterness.
It’s like an old head teacher with outdated methods shouting at everyone ‘I know what I’m doing because I’ve done this longer than you’ve been born!’
Bruce has once again trotted out the I’ve managed over 1000 games line., so, for the final time, let’s be clear Steve, just because you’ve done something a lot, doesn’t mean you’re good at it.