Pep Guardiola gives his verdict on Steve Bruce at Newcastle United

Steve Bruce has done an “incredible job” at Newcastle United, according to Pep Guardiola.
Steve Bruce and Pep Guardiola in China.Steve Bruce and Pep Guardiola in China.
Steve Bruce and Pep Guardiola in China.

Bruce’s side take on Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow evening.

And Guardiola has spoken about the job Bruce has done since his appointment as Rafa Benitez’s successor last summer.

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Bruce – who has guided the club to Premier League safety with five games left to play – met Guardiola in China last July after linking up with the squad for the Premier League Asia Trophy.

“He arrived in pre-season when we met in China,” said Guardiola, whose side knocked Newcastle out of the FA Cup last month. “He landed there to see the last friendly game, and there were a lot of rumours, but he’s done incredibly well in the Premier League.

“He has already avoided relegation. Last season they struggled most of the season until the end. Steve Bruce has done an incredible job.

“It was tight and difficult (in the 2-2 draw between the clubs at St James Park in November), and we dropped two more points. We didn’t have an incredible performance, but once Kevin (De Bruyne) scored the (second) goal, we should ahve been able to finish the game.

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“Newcastle always have threats. They’re a team with good physicality, but hopefully we can do a good game like we did a few games ago in the FA Cup.”

Meanwhile, Bruce could be without Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron at the Etihad Stadium.