(Reuters) - Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has been made the "fall guy" at the Premier League club and the criticism he has faced since being appointed in 2019 has been difficult to take, the 60-year-old's son Alex said.

Bruce has endured a largely difficult time after he replaced fan-favourite Rafa Benitez and speculation is rife that he is on his way out following the team's takeover by a Saudi Arabia-led consortium this month.