Steve Bruce refers questions on his future to Mike Ashley and Newcastle United's hierarchy

The 16th-placed club is one point above the Premier League's relegation zone with 11 games left to play – and bookmakers make Bruce the favourite to be the next manager to leave his post.

Alan Shearer and Rafa Benitez were appointed as interim managers by owner Mike Ashley with eight and 10 matches left respectively in the club’s previous two relegation seasons.

It was put to Bruce ahead of tomorrow night’s home game against Aston Villa that Ashley was keen on continuity because those managerial changes hadn’t resulted in the club staying up.

“Look, you’re going to have to ask Mike that – or you’re going to have to ask people above me,” said United's head coach. “I’m only focused on one thing, which is to do my job the best I can.

"I will try everything I possibly can with all the experience I’ve got to make sure that we stay here and we don’t have that fate.”

Asked if he believed a couple of results in the next two or three games would keep him in the job, Bruce said: “I’m the wrong one to ask.

"I’m focused on tomorrow night. Can we win? Then we’ve got a huge game against Brighton. Look, we’re capable of winning the pair of them.

"Of course we are. We understand how difficult that is, because of the problems we’ve got, but I’ll do my utmost to make that sure that we’re prepared.”

Bruce – who is without Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron – says he and his players fully understand the gravity of the situation ahead of the Villa game.

“We’ve understood that for a while now,” said Bruce. “Look, we’re not alone, I’m sure all the other managers will be getting asked the same question.

“We all don’t want to be down there. We simply haven’t won enough football matches not to be. It’s quite simple. We have to understand what’s before us – and get enough points to make sure we stay here.”

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