Steve Bruce will be the first to admit he is not a wholly popular figure on Tyneside after his 21-month spell as Newcastle United manager. But the former Magpies boss says he was left 'hurt' by the abuse he received from a section of supporters during his time at the club.
Bruce led Newcastle to 13th and 12th-place finishes in the Premier League, reaching the quarter-final stage in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his tenure. But the £300m Saudi takeover brought an end to his time at the helm, with Eddie Howe swiftly ushered in by the new ownership last October.
The West Brom boss believes he was always facing an uphill battle replacing fan-favourite Rafa Benitez while Mike Ashley was in charge but believes some of the abuse aimed at both himself and his family crossed the line.
