Rob Lee: "It's a matter of time before Steve Bruce leaves Newcastle"

Former Newcastle star Rob Lee believes "it is a matter of time" before current Magpies manager Steve Bruce leaves the struggling Premier League outfit.

Speaking to the Racing Post's weekly football YouTube show Different League in association with Betfred, Lee, who starred for the club in the entertaining Kevin Keegan era, said: "Bruce knows what is coming and it's a matter of time.

"When a coach is forced upon you - that is Mike Ashley totally undermining him and waiting for him to hopefully resign so he doesn't have to pay him off.

"Bruce has been with Stephen Clemence and Steve Agnew for years and now he is being forced to work with Graeme Jones. He had a trusted coaching group and then Jones come in."

Lee reckons the problems run much deeper than under-fire Bruce and warned nothing will change with owner Ashley in place.

When asked if Bruce should remain as manager, Lee added: "Who will work for Ashley in the current climate? Who can realistically replace him? I know Newcastle fans will shout anybody but the reality is different.

"Bruce can only work with what he has got. He has tried every formation and can only do so much.

"They paid £40m for Joelinton and that wasn't Bruce's signing - you could have got 55 Rob Lee's for that!"

Lee was also asked by a viewer what were the three differences missing from the current Newcastle team from his vibrant side of the nineties and the ex-England man said: "Togetherness - we had an unbelievable team spirit.

"We also had that desire to do well and work hard but above all the biggest difference was ability. We had good players."

Bruce is the current 4-6 favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his current club.