The Saudis have chased Bruce into the cold after all. So far, they are doing exactly the same thing as City’s recipe. But there are important differences.
Sparky was already hired by the new masters and Bruce was handed over to the oil-rich monarchy from the previous regime.
Hughes managed to last as long as 18 months, while Steve didn’t last three.
City were 6th in the table at the time of Mark’s parting with the Magpies in the relegation zone.
Bruce leaves after a 2-3 defeat to Spurs and Sparky managed to rattle the vaunted Scunthorpe 4-3 on his parting.
City gave Hughes £275m on transfers and the Magpies were barely begging. £60m in two brusque seasons.
True, Newcastle’s squad is not awful. St Maximin, Almiron, Wilson… Certainly better than the Canaries or Hornets. But those wingers are in danger of extinction too.
And — needless to say — the Arabs have plenty of money and will break into the January market powerfully. But who will go to a team in the relegation zone?
We understand that a lot of people, if offered a lot of money, but the top players would not even consider such options.
And immediately the next question: what coach would be willing to save the downed birds? Again, the answer is very many, but taking off for the Champions League and saving from relegation are different professions altogether. Give Guardiola a Norwich one now….
That is, in pure (and not particularly detached from reality) theory, the Championship could get the richest club in the world next season…
All in all, interesting.