Steve Bruce: 'Newcastle United links got me Sunderland sack'

Former Sunderland manager Steve Bruce believes that his Geordie roots may have played a major role in his Stadium of Light dismissal earlier this season.

The 51-year-old was sacked in November with the club 16th in the Premier League table following a run of two wins in 13 games.

His final game in charge was a 2-1 home defeat to Wigan Athletic, but Bruce cites the earlier loss to Newcastle United, along with his boyhood links to the Magpies, as a significant nail in his coffin.

"We lost against Newcastle in our second game, our first game at home, and that set the tone," Bruce told Radio Five Live.

"We got off to a difficult start, and we had the top teams early on.

"The Geordie thing unfortunately came out. I supported Newcastle as a boy and lived in Newcastle and left when I was 15."

Bruce is reportedly a candidate for the manager's job at Turkish club Besiktas.