Steve Bruce reveals next call with Mike Ashley over Newcastle United transfer business
Steve Bruce will speak to Mike Ashley again this week as he plots Newcastle United’s summer transfer business amid takeover uncertainty.
Bruce’s side ended their season with a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at St James’s Park yesterday.
The result saw the club, which is the subject of a £300million takeover which has been with the Premier League for approval since April, end the season in 13th place with 44 points.
Ashley, United’s owner, spoke to Bruce and his players on a video call after the game to say “well done” for their efforts this season.
Asked if he would speak to Ashley again, head coach Bruce said: “I’ve got a call in to him on Wednesday.
“He wanted to say ‘well done’ to the staff and to the players for all their hard work. In that respect, it was good to hear from him. As I say he wanted to thank the staff and players for all their efforts this year. That was basically it.”
Asked if Ashley had spoken to Bruce and his players through Zoom, Bruce said: “Yes. All the squad. All the players. All the staff. Everybody, everybody concerned.”
Bruce again demanded “clarity” from the Premier League on the proposed Saudi Arabia-backed takeover.
“I think that’s vitally important that you go to town with them, because we need clarity,” said Bruce.
“Is it going to happen or not? How long do we want? It is a frustration. The club needs that clarity. All of us do. Let’s hope we can that in the next few days or week, or whatever it may be.”
Newcastle took the lead against Liverpool thanks to a goal from Dwight Gayle after 24 seconds, but strikes from Virgil van Dijk, Divock Origi and Sadio Mane saw the champions end the season on a high.
“We've taken the lead against them twice this season, and it gives you something to hold on to,” said Bruce. “For large parts of the first half, we defended very well. We had a hunger and a desire.
"I couldn't fault them, but, in the end, we just weren't quite good enough."