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News
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith ‘flabbergasted’ by one thing that’s happened since Newcastle takeover
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has hit out at the “over the top” media attention on the future of Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce following the club’s takeover.
A consortium consisting of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), financier Amanda Staveley, and David and Simon Reuben is now in charge at St James’ Park.
The PIF – worth an alleged £700bn – have taken an 80 percent stake in Newcastle after the Premier League finally approved a deal which had originally been agreed early last year.
And the new owners are expected to bring about wholesale changes at St James’ Park to turn the club from a relegation battler to a trophy challenger in the coming years.
In wake of the takeover, Bruce’s future at the club came under huge scrutiny.
Indeed, some reports in the media claimed the 60-year-old was in line to be sacked before Newcastle’s Premier League meeting with Spurs on Sunday.
However, the club on Friday that Bruce would be taking charge of the Magpies, his 1000th professional match as a manager.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of the Wolves match, Smith admits he’s been “flabbergasted” with how much exposure Bruce has had this last week.
“The media attention to (Bruce’s) job role at the moment is over the top,” quotes him as saying (1:14pm)
“For me Steve Bruce is the manager of Newcastle United Football Club.
“Is it news he’s taking training? No, he’s the manager, he’s there to take training.
“I’ve been flabbergasted with the amount of exposure on Bruce.
“It’s a club that’s been taken over with an awful lot of finance, it’s how they use that now.”