In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey has explained his worries for Steve Bruce’s mental health and well-being.
Howey believes it may be too much for the former Sunderland manager as the pressure and scrutiny continue to pile up and increase each day with the club struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League table.
The former defender has seen signs that Bruce is not looking well or in good health during interviews and press conferences.
Should Bruce resign for his own good?
Yes, he looks broken!
No, he’s the man Newcastle need!
Bruce’s performances have been under a microscope since he was appointed Newcastle manager two years ago.
Last week, Bruce had to deal with the emergence of a leak within his group as a story of a training ground bust-up with Matt Ritchie, as well as Karl Darlow finding out he was being dropped through the media, emerged and it seemed to take its toll after an explosive and pre-match press conference.
Craig Hope, the Daily Mail journalist has also been banned for writing his story on the training ground bust-up.
Howey can see everything pilling up for Bruce and he told FFC that he is worried for the former defender.
“It can’t be good for somebody’s mental health and well being, you know, under this much stress.
“I think if anything is a positive, which also isn’t a positive, is the fact that there are no fans inside the stadium. I think it would have been even worse and it would have just been absolutely toxic.
“So, that’s probably the saving grace at the moment.”
Newcastle fans have been calling for Bruce to be sacked and with the club just one point above the relegation zone, those calls may just get louder.
If Bruce is to stay on as manager it may be difficult for him to manage the team as well as his mental health in what is such a difficult job to manage Newcastle United.