Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken up in support of Steve Bruce after the former Newcastle United manager revealed the horrific abuse he suffered while managing the Magpies.
Unfortunately Bruce never enjoyed popularity with the Newcastle fans who actually wanted him out from the get-go even right after he had been appointed as their manager. But the former Manchester United defender resolved to stay on and tried to help them with the support of the club’s former owner, Mike Ashley. According to The Daily Mail, Bruce is now harboring doubts if he would return to management because of the strain his last job had inflicted on his family life.
Arteta expressed concern and believed that if a manager who has over 40 years of experience in the game as a player and manager can be affected by the abuse, then it’s certaibly time for things to change. He implored for change to happen just as the public appeals for change have been on-going for more safety for fans as well as the end to racism targeted at players, and the Spaniard says it has to start now.
‘I was really sad after reading that statement from Steve. First of all because I know him personally and secondly with what he transmitted in his words.
‘You’re talking about somebody who has been in the game over 40 years as a player and manager, that has managed over 1000 games and he is telling you, with that experience, with that level of expertise that he has because you have [to have that] to sustain it at that level, that he struggles with that kind of situation.
‘So I think we have to reflect how we can’t take for granted and accept certain things because they are how they are.
‘No. We are here as well to improve them and change them like we do with any rules, with anything that we want to improve for our supporters, fans, stadiums, facilities, broadcast.
‘Why don’t we spend more time and we have an open table to discuss how we can do that because I think we have to think about that. One of the most experienced managers in English history is telling you that. You can’t just ignore that.
‘For me it is a very serious statement and it is something that has to change. It has to start to change.’