Steve Bruce reacts to Rafa Benitez's Newcastle United comments
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Benitez this left the door open to a possible future return to St James’s Park when asked about the club – and the vacant manager’s job at Derby County.
The 60-year-old – who left Newcastle last year after failing to agree a new deal at the club – reiterated his commitment to Chinese club Dalian Professional, though, tellingly, he added that he was keen to return to the Premier League in the future.
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Hide Ad"At the moment, I have a lot of respect, because I have a job, and I’m very grateful to Dalian and Wanda, but the Premier League’s a target for me,” Benitez said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Bruce – who succeeded Benitez at United last year – was asked about Benitez’s comments ahead of tomorrow’s behind-closed-doors home game against Chelsea.
"It doesn't bother me a jot,” said United's head coach. “Rafa’s entitled to talk, whatever he wants to do.
"Look, he left 18 months ago for his own personal reasons. As far as I'm concerned, I can't get involved with that. It doesn't bother me one little bit.”
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Hide AdUnited yesterday released a statement confirming it was taking legal action against the Premier League following the summer collapse of a proposed £300million takeover backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Bruce, however, says this is not a distraction for him – or his players.
“It’s quite easy for myself to block it out, because I don’t know enough about it – and it’s all just legal jargon at the minute,” said Bruce.
"I’ve got enough on my plate concentrating on Chelsea. Look, we’re all really disappointed it didn’t go through, because who was coming in charge, it would probably have been life changing for the club.
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Hide Ad“There are a lot of disappointed people, but where it lies in the future, I really couldn’t tell you. I don’t get involved in that. We’re all disappointed it didn’t happen, but we just keep moving on, unfortunately.”
Newcastle, meanwhile, are 13th in the Premier League table ahead of the Chelsea game.