Steve Bruce talking to the Journal speaks about nearly quitting Birmingham City to take over at Newcastle:

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce has admitted he nearly quit at the start of the 2003-04 season to take over at Newcastle.

The former Manchester United defender was an avid supporter of the Magpies as a youngster.

Bruce said: “People associate me with Manchester United but I am a Newcastle United fan, my family is from Newcastle and I used to crawl under the turnstiles to watch them play. I had the chance to manage them but felt loyalty to the people I work for here at Birmingham.

Bruce has now been in charge at St Andrew’s for five years and would like to complete a decade at the helm.

“The five years seem to have gone in a flash,” said Bruce, who led the side to the Premiership in his first season but suffered relegation last term. “Let’s hope I can do another five years, that’s the aim.”