Hull boss Bruce rules himself out of Newcastle job

Hull City boss Steve Bruce has ruled himself out of replacing Alan Pardew as Newcastle manager.

Bruce is a boyhood Newcastle fan and said he was "flattered" to be linked with the position but is committed to Hull and has already turned down three offers from other clubs during his time at the Tigers.

Pardew is yet to complete a move to Crystal Palace after Newcastle announced on Monday that a compensation figure had been agreed and he had been given permission to talk to the Eagles.

Bruce said before tonight's clash with Everton: "People know that I am from Newcastle, I was a Newcastle supporter as a boy and it has been regurgitated since I was a 22-year-old playing for Norwich and Gillingham.

"For that obvious reason, every time I am linked with them. It's very flattering as I'm a Geordie but that's it.

"I have a job to do here and it would be wrong for me to think of anything else other than get this club out of the position we are in and that's all I am focused on.

"It would be wrong for the speculation to keep carrying on for the club, for the supporters, for the players.

"I am determined to see this through and make sure we stay in the Premier League and build on the good work we have done in the last two and a half years.

TURN DOWN

"I have had three offers in the two and a half years I have been here and I have turned them all down, so I think the chairman knows the way I feel and why would I want to leave now?

"It's not right, and I hope people respect that."

Press Association Sport understands too that former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood and ex-Stoke boss Tony Pulis are not under consideration.

Steve McClaren also played down speculation linking him with Newcastle after his Derby County team beat Leeds United 2-0 yesterday morning (Singapore time) to move up to third in 
the Championship.

McClaren's work at the iPro Stadium in the last year has restored his reputation.

But, when asked about Newcastle in the wake of reports that Pardew is set to take over at Crystal Palace, he replied: "I think there have been about 10 linked! It's the speculation season and all we can do is focus on what we are doing.

"We've got big games coming up and I have a job to do here."

Meanwhile, Sherwood is playing a waiting game as West Brom decide on their new head coach.

The former Tottenham boss has held detailed talks with the Baggies to replace Alan Irvine, who was dismissed on Monday.

Sherwood was previously interviewed for the Hawthorns hotseat in the summer before the Baggies appointed Irvine, who lasted just six months after four wins in 19 Premier League games.

Former Crystal Palace manager Pulis is also keen on the role and Sherwood believes it is a two-horse race.

The 45-year-old has been out of work since leaving White Hart Lane at the end of last season after just five months in charge of Spurs.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks in Sherwood's previous talks with West Brom was Les Ferdinand's salary, with him keen on bringing the former England striker to the Hawthorns as part of his backroom staff.

Ferdinand worked with Sherwood at Tottenham along with Chris Ramsey, who would have also joined them at the Baggies.

But, with Ferdinand and Ramsey now both working at QPR, Sherwood may be a cheaper option than before.

West Brom are hoping to appoint Irvine's replacement before Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie with Gateshead at the Hawthorns.

Assistant head coach Rob Kelly will be in charge for tonight's trip to West Ham with the Baggies 16th, a point above the relegation zone.

They have lost seven of their last nine games but Kelly has backed them to survive ahead of their clash at Upton Park.

"Yes, absolutely," he said, when asked if the Baggies could beat the drop.

"I work with them every day. I see them, I see the qualities they've got. They're good players." - PA Sport.