---
title: "Fans mixed as Newcastle identify Martinez as Bruce’s replacement"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2021/10/23/fans-mixed-as-newcastle-identify-martinez-as-bruces-replacement/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2021-10-23T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-10-23T07:00:00Z"
---

# Fans mixed as Newcastle identify Martinez as Bruce’s replacement

Steve Bruce [left](https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/steve-bruce-leaves-newcastle-united-by-mutual-consent/) Newcastle United by mutual consent on Wednesday with the Magpies sitting 19th in the Premier League and [AS](https://as.com/futbol/2021/10/21/internacional/1634834404_265440.html?smm=CM_ES_TW&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1634835368) say the Magpies aren’t wasting any time locating a replacement.

Roberto Martinez is the latest name on their radar, but he won’t be an easy person to extract from his current position. The 48-year-old is currently the manager of Belgium, having been [appointed](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/roberto-martinez/stationen/trainer/4328) in August 2016.

Martinez, whose contract is up in 2022, has presided over [66 matches](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/roberto-martinez/leistungsdatenDetail/trainer/4328/verein_id/3382/datum_zu/2016-08-03/datum_ab/2021-10-23) and boasts 50 wins, so his stock is high right now. Fans on [social media](https://twitter.com/search?q=newcastle%20martinez&src=typed_query&f=live) have had a mixed reaction, however.

> Martinez is awful wouldn't want him anywhere near Newcastle!
>
> — Matty Atherton (@mattathnufc) [October 22, 2021](https://twitter.com/mattathnufc/status/1451506251075047424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> If either of Lampard, Martinez or Fonseca gets the Newcastle job, we may stay up by default [https://t.co/mqonxoBG90](https://t.co/mqonxoBG90)
>
> — luke (@louorns) [October 22, 2021](https://twitter.com/louorns/status/1451609498800558098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/PGUY77/status/1451541821201469454?s=20

And although Newcastle are the [richest club](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/12428222/newcastle-takeover-how-and-why-newcastle-are-on-the-verge-of-becoming-one-of-the-worlds-richest-football-clubs) in Europe after their [takeover](https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/pif-pcp-capital-partners-and-rb-sports-media-acquire-newcastle-united-football-club/) by Public Investment Fund (PIF), PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media, it remains to be seen whether Martinez would leave with an international tournament looming.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar begins in 13 months and Belgium have a lot of pressure on their hands to go deep – the Rode Duivels reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup and the semis of the 2018 World Cup.

Newcastle need a manager to replace Bruce now rather than next year, so Martinez might not be available, even if he’s offered a long-term project with lucrative resources.

***[In other news, fans not enthusiastic on social media as Newcastle are linked with Ousmane Dembele](https://readnewcastle.com/2021/10/21/fans-not-enthusiastic-on-social-media-as-newcastle-are-linked-with-ousmane-dembele/)***