Steve Bruce Evades Questions About Newcastle Job

Steve Bruce has insisted he doesn't want to discuss the possibility of replacing Alan Pardew at Newcastle, arguing it would be disrespectful.

Pardew is under a huge amount of pressure over his job, particularly after the Toon lost 4-0 to Southampton at the weekend.

Newcastle are currently at the bottom of the table without a win and many are speculating that Mike Ashley will act quickly to save the club from a possible relegation battle.

But with Steve Bruce touted as his possible replacement, the current Hull manager insisted he wouldn't discuss the role while Pardew is still there.

"I find it very disrespectful that I am linked with somebody else's job when he is still in the job," Bruce told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme.

"I am just concentrating on our game against West Ham on Monday."

He continued: "I'm like any other manager, when I see another manager under huge pressure like Alan is - and it was only a few years ago I was in the same sort of situation - it isn't nice.

"After what happened to me at Sunderland I know how difficult the north east is.

"I have only been at Hull a couple of years and they have been really good. They gave me the chance to get up and running again and for that I will always be grateful."

A legend at Manchester United, Bruce has managed at a number of clubs since retiring from playing in 1999. He spent two and a half years at Sunderland before being sacked due to a poor run of form though at the time he blamed the fact that he is a Newcastle fan.

Since joining Hull in the 2012 summer Bruce has guided the side into the top-tier where they finished in 16th position and made the FA Cup final.