‘I’ll tell you the truth’ – Exclusive: Hutton drops first-hand reveal after big Newcastle report
Alan Hutton insists it should come as no surprise that the Newcastle United players want Steve Bruce to remain as manager amid the impending takeover.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, the former Aston Villa and Sunderland defender has delivered a first-hand insight into what it is like to work under the 59-year-old.
The Daily Star report that the Newcastle squad are firmly behind Bruce staying as manager and that “a lot of them would be very disappointed if he left” under new ownership.
Bruce has been in charge at St James’ Park for nearly a year, having taken charge of his boyhood club last summer.
Hutton, who played 88 times for Bruce at Sunderland and Aston Villa, has revealed why the manager is such a popular figure and why the Newcastle squad will want him to stick around.
He told Football Insider: “I just see him as a father figure, he’s always there for you – he tells you from day one: ‘My door is always open, I’ll never hide anything from you, I’ll tell you the truth if that’s what you want.’
“You can go see him any time you want, you can phone him, I’m talking about he’s that sort of guy. He reminds of Walter Smith and those type of people, he really looks after his staff and he protects you also.
“There’s been numerous times where there’s been stuff happening in the changing room or arguments or whatever and he’ll always protect you in the press no matter what. He’s such a good guy and it doesn’t surprise me the players there have really taken to him.
“Everyone at Aston Villa loved him, when I was at Sunderland all the boys loved him so it’s not just a one-off thing, that’s just the guy that he is, a top, top guy.”
With the Premier League currently suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Bruce has the Magpies sitting 13th in the top-flight table.
Their last game saw them beat Southampton away from home, with Allan Saint-Maximin netting the only goal of the game.
In other Newcastle United news, a Football Insider pundit has been left raving over a senior figure’s takeover admission.