'What a super manager': Kieron Dyer makes controversial comparison between Steve Bruce and Rafa Benitez at Newcastle United
Kieron Dyer has claimed Rafa Benitez would be hailed as a “super manager” if he had carried out the job Steve Bruce has at Newcastle United this season.
The former Magpies winger is the latest in a long line of pundits to laud Bruce in comparison to Benitez, who left the club last summer at the end of his contract.
Much was made about Bruce requiring just one more win to better the Spaniard’s 45-point total from last year during the build-up to the clash with Brighton and Hove Albion, live on Sky Sports.
Dyer stated: "If Rafa Benitez had the season Steve Bruce has had, everyone would be saying: 'What a super manager'. He was like the messiah, he got so much credit for the last two seasons.
"Steve Bruce, under a lot more difficult conditions where the fans weren't really having him, there has been takeover talk or he might be losing his job, has got Newcastle in with a chance of getting their best points total ever, is all credit to Steve Bruce.”
He added: "He has had a lot of injuries to deal with. We know managers, if you don't get the results then you're out. We've spoken about all these circumstances he has had to deal with - missing crucial players and they're going to have, hopefully, their best season for a number of years.
"This man deserves a lot of credit. If the takeover does happen - I hope he stays in the job."