Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Steve Bruce has opened up about his relationship with Mike Ashley as speculation continues to link the ex-Newcastle United owner with a potential takeover at Hillsborough.
Bruce spent just over six months in charge of Wednesday before his controversial departure in July 2019 to manage Newcastle. Ashley is believed to have paid around £4 million in compensation to secure the 65-year-old’s services after a tense disagreement with then-Owls owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Although Bruce managed to keep Newcastle in the Premier League for two straight seasons, his spell at St James’ Park was far from smooth. He was dismissed in October 2021, just one match after Ashley completed the £305 million sale of the club to a Saudi-backed consortium.
Ashley has not owned a football club since leaving Newcastle, but his name has resurfaced in connection with Sheffield Wednesday after Chansiri placed the club into administration in October. Reports suggested an opening £20 million offer from Ashley was rejected.
Even so, he was thought to be among the leading contenders to buy the club, alongside David Storch and James Bord. A consortium fronted by Bord was named preferred bidder by administrators on Christmas Eve. However, with the EFL yet to approve Bord’s takeover, claims persist that Ashley is ready to step in if the deal falls through, while the Storch family are also monitoring developments.
Bruce reflects on Ashley during Newcastle spell
Bruce remains a divisive figure among Newcastle fans and has spoken about the intense criticism he faced on Tyneside, revealing he received death threats and required police involvement at one stage.
One of the lowest points of his tenure came after a heavy 3-0 defeat at Brighton in March 2021, which left Newcastle in serious relegation danger. Bruce admitted he expected to be sacked, but instead received an unexpected show of support from Ashley.
Speaking on the SACKED! podcast, Bruce recalled getting a call from Ashley early the next morning.
He said he answered the phone fearing the worst, but Ashley instead told him to ignore outside noise, reassured him of his backing, and encouraged him to stay positive and focus on winning the next game. Bruce admitted the call caught him completely off guard.
Mixed feelings among Wednesday fans
Despite criticism over limited transfer spending, Newcastle spent the vast majority of Ashley’s ownership in the Premier League and maintained financial stability during that period. That track record could make him an appealing option to some Wednesday supporters after the club’s recent turmoil.
However, uncertainty remains. Fans are growing uneasy over the delay in EFL approval for Bord’s takeover, yet Ashley’s potential return is also complicated. Reports indicate Wednesday could face a 15-point deduction in League One next season if Ashley does not significantly increase his bid beyond the reported sub-£30 million figure.
As the situation drags on, supporters are left weighing the risks and benefits of each possible outcome while the club’s future hangs in the balance.
Leave a Reply