Steve Bruce vows to press on as Newcastle manager ‘as long as people want me to’

Steve Bruce says he will not be chased out of Newcastle by the boo boys.

The head coach has labelled the dissenters a ‘minority’ who jeered him during the team’s lap of appreciation at St James’ Park this week.

Bruce was walking behind his players when fans targeted him with boos and derogatory chants following Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United.

Steve Bruce has insisted he will continue as Newcastle manager ‘as long as people want me to’

But the Newcastle boss said: ‘The reaction, from the minority… I am never going to be everyone’s cup of tea, I wasn’t from day one.

‘Of course, you are disappointed, but you accept that large parts of the season were not good enough. I understand that.

‘But I’m not ready to retire yet. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll crack on to the best of my ability. I will carry on as long as people want me to.’

Newcastle won two matches from 21 between December and April but have pulled clear of relegation in recent weeks.

Bruce hopes to keep Arsenal loanee striker Joe Willock (centre) at Newcastle next season

Bruce added: ‘We had an awful run over the winter. When people have negativity, I have to accept it, if it is fair and balanced. When it is ridicule, it gets your back up.

‘I have been asked many times, “Do you enjoy management?”. You enjoy certain elements, it doesn’t last very long. Enjoy? I wouldn’t say you enjoy it.’

Loanee Joe Willock has scored six goals in as many matches and Bruce would like to keep him at the club next season.

Bruce said he will press Newcastle owner Mike Ashley for more transfer funds ‘as hard as I can’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says the 21-year-old will return to the Emirates, but Bruce said: ‘It’s been a double-edged sword because he’s probably done too well, but let’s see what happens.

‘We’ll see over the summer whether we can test their resolve.’

Meanwhile, the Sunday Times Rich List claims that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has gained £769million over the last 12 months.

And Bruce added: ‘If that is right about Mike, good for him. My job is to knock on the door, I’ll do that as hard as I can (to get extra transfer funds).’