Matt Ritchie Calls Newcastle Manager Steve Bruce 'A Coward' In Remarkable Training Ground Bust-Up

Newcastle United winger Matt Ritchie called his manager Steve Bruce 'a coward' in a furious training ground bust-up this week, according to reports.

The situation kicked off when Ritchie was left furious with Bruce's post-match interview after the club's 1-1 draw against Wolves on Saturday, according to The Daily Mail.

In a rare moment of blaming an individual player, Bruce accused Ritchie of not passing on tactical instructions when he came on as a substitute after Wolves equalised.

"The instructions Matty didn't get on to the team quick enough on how we were doing it," Bruce said."When you look at the goal, we should have stopped the cross and when the 'keeper looks at it, could he have done better?"

Ritchie is believed to have called his manager after the game to iron out the situation and discuss what Bruce said in the interview.

But the report says Bruce instead asked to speak at training on Tuesday - something that irritated Ritchie as he was left to stew on the situation.

On Tuesday, Newcastle assistant Steve Agnew was sent to the training pitch to get Ritchie for a discussion with Bruce, but the player refused and said he was not speaking to the 'coward' again.

A furious Bruce then emerged to confront Ritchie about his use of the word 'coward' and the situation boiled over.

Image: PA

Things escalted further when Bruce reportedly shoulder-barged Ritchie, who did not react physically himself.

Bruce then said: "After all I've done for you" in relation to the 'coward' comment.

Ritchie responded by saying: "You've done f*ck all for me" before telling Bruce he was "done" with him.

Bruce then asked: "What are you going to do, tell Lee Charnley?" - the managing director at Newcastle. The Mail suggest Bruce has a 'suspicion' that players have reported their unhappiness to Charnley since being appointed.

The report goes on to suggest this situation has left Bruce's position at Newcastle under threat, with several players no longer trusting the manager, 'especially' after his blame comments following the Wolves game.

Thoughts on the reported training ground bust-up at Newcastle United? Is Bruce the right man to take the club forward?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Matt Ritchie, Steve Bruce, Football, Premier League, Newcastle United

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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