Pep Guardiola has sent a message of support to Steve Bruce amid the criticism of the former Newcastle manager.
Bruce left his position as Newcastle’s head coach this week by ‘mutual consent’, having seen his position become untenable following a change in ownership at St James’ Park and fierce criticism from the club’s supporters.
The 60-year-old this week revealed that the role could be his last in football management, having struggled to deal with the comments and pressure of an unsettled fanbase.
Guardiola has praised Bruce as an ‘exceptional gentleman’ and offered a message of support, insisting no manager deserves the treatment that was afforded to the former Magpies’ boss.
“I read the post on Twitter from Saint-Maximin, this for me what Steve Bruce, he is an exceptional gentleman,” Guardiola said ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Brighton this weekend.
“Always took care of me, I wish him all the best. I’ll tell him don’t pay much attention to the comments because it is bullsh*t.
“Sometimes the managers are treated worse than the worst but it is sometimes a reflection of society. On social media, everyone is accepted to say terrible things.
“Steve Bruce and all the managers want to do the best. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and no-one deserves to be treated like that. But he has not to be worried, because the people who know him quite well, that is what is important. The players know what Steve is.
“I wish him to come back soon and I am pretty sure he will be back with an opportunity because he has the love for football in his blood. Hopefully I can see him soon.”
You are, without a doubt, one of the most gentle people that I have ever met in the world of football. You have been a man of your word, a caring man and a fair man who never hesitated to protect us. I will never forget how you treated me, for that I will be forever grateful pic.twitter.com/lJgSL5GD4Q
— Allan Saint-Maximin (@asaintmaximin) October 20, 2021
Guardiola was asked whether he enjoys the challenge of being a Premier League manager, insisting he loves the role despite the fickle nature of supporters and the fact managers bear the brunt of outside criticism.
“We are incredibly criticised more than the worst in society because we don’t’ win games it’s simple as that.
“I’m treated good because we win sometimes, I’m treated bad because we lose. I love it, I love it. I pay no single attention.
“I know as a manager the success is because we have done it, not I have done it. From CEO, our incredible workers, the players of course, that’s why we’re here, the staff and backroom staff the success is because we have done it. Because we are in front of the media every three days, that’s why people believe we’re responsible for that. The influence is much much minor.
“In society you want to point [blame] at one person, this person, it’s difficult to understand football is collective and everyone is involved in that, never have I thought I win a game, never ever. I am good because my mates help me. We need egos to be better of course and for the people who just like to be about themselves and that – I don’t like to be with them.”
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss was asked whether the pressure in England is worse than that in Spain or Germany.
“No, here is nicer,” he insisted. “In Spain, there are more radios, televisions. I would say maybe I’m wrong, everywhere it is similar.
“It’s not all the media, you are treated in terms of results. When you win what a genius, when you lose what a disaster. Especially with social media, in Spain they are more involved, there are journalists at training sessions, it’s the same but more intense. But the fact is the same, everyone come here, when you lose a game the people underestimate, if you want to be a manager accept it.”
