By Kevin Phillips

28th Mar, 2021 | 4:00pm

Kevin Phillips slams 'disgraceful' Newcastle players who have gone behind Bruce's back

Kevin Phillips has slammed the Newcastle United players who have considered talking to managing director Lee Charnley about Steve Bruce’s position. 

The former Sunderland star, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, labelled the actions of the players’ actions as ‘disrespectful’ after news broke about the atmosphere in the dressing room.

This site revealed last week that some senior players had discussed holding a meeting with the Newcastle chief after an abject loss against Brighton that leaves the club with two wins in their last 20 games.

Newcastle face a tough run of fixtures after the international break with a third relegation under Mike Ashley a very real possibility.

Phillips claims that Bruce is doing the best that he can and the actions of some of his players show a total lack of respect for their manager.

“For me it’s just utter disrespect to the manager,” Phillips told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs.

“I’ve been at clubs where I’ve heard players doing that and it’s wrong. If you’ve got a problem you go and see the manager, you don’t go behind their back and run to the chairman. 

“The manager is under enough pressure as it is so for me that’s total disrespect, you just don’t do it. 

“Even if the chairman comes to you. I know it goes on, it’s happened when I’ve been at clubs but it’s totally disrespectful. 

“I hope it’s just rumours, Bruce is doing the best he can he’s just having a tough time at the moment.”

Bruce took over at St James’ Park in the summer of 2019 after the popular Rafael Benitez refused to sign a new deal with the club.

After a respectful 13th placed finish last season Bruce is now struggling to keep Newcastle out of the relegation zone with just nine games remaining to save his side from the drop.

In other Newcastle United news, several Magpies players are raging with one teammate after new comments emerge – sources.