Steve Bruce and Dwight Gayle have become embroiled in a war of words, years on from their time together at Newcastle.
The latter recently spoke about the 64-year-old in damning fashion to the Open Goal podcast, claiming that he sent Newcastle players to play at Manchester City with the message: “I don’t do tactics, just put your boots on and work hard.”
Then, the current Blackpool boss hit back, telling BBC Radio Lancashire: “Is that the legendary Dwight Gayle, who missed the chance in the (FA Cup) quarter-final against Manchester City? Is that the same Dwight Gayle? Interesting.”
“I’ll let other people make their mind up, who are a bit more established than Dwight ever was” 😬
Steve Bruce has fired back after Dwight Gayle criticised his coaching methods at Newcastle 👀@BBCLancsSport #NUFC pic.twitter.com/8oqYAQqbJy
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 23, 2025
It was a very specific moment for Bruce to refer to – so let’s take a look at how bad that miss against Manchester City really was.
Steve Bruce clutching at straws with Dwight Gayle remark
The way the man from Corbridge spoke about this miss, you would be forgiven for thinking it was an open goal in the last minute, with the score at 0-0.
However – after some digging – TBR Football have found the moment on X (previously known as Twitter) and it really isn’t as bad as Bruce makes out.
How did he miss?!
Dwight Gayle hits it over from close range and misses the opportunity to get Newcastle back on level terms with Man City 😬#NEWMCI live:
Watch 📺 https://t.co/IQvwYDcJBg
Listen 🎧 https://t.co/HK5KFgBZKH
Follow 📲 https://t.co/9ogCerYlwt#bbcfacup pic.twitter.com/d9BCiyVFrm
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 28, 2020
As you can see above, the 35-year-old admittedly ought to have scored, although Newcastle were 1-0 down at the time with 23 minutes still to play.
Therefore – even if that chance goes in – Newcastle still had a lot to do to knock the Citizens out, and given how scarce attacks were for the Magpies under Bruce’s management, it feels unlikely they would have gone on to advance into the last four.
Newcastle were hammered by Manchester City in 2020 FA Cup clash, making Steve Bruce’s comments even more embarrassing
The numbers from this FA Cup quarter-final make damning reading for Bruce, who is up there with the worst Newcastle managers of the 21st century.
At home, with a chance to progress to a semi-final at Wembley, he could only motivate his Newcastle side enough to register one shot on target and 23% possession, with Manchester City making 703 passes to Newcastle’s 223, while winning eight corners compared to none for the Magpies.
If Bruce really feels Gayle – who used to fight with Matt Ritchie – was responsible for Newcastle losing this game, he should take a lengthy look in the mirror.
