Steve Bruce has slammed speculation linking him with Newcastle United as very disrespectful amid reports concerning Alan Pardew s future.
A section of Newcastle fans called for Pardew to be sacked during Saturday s 4-0 defeat at Southampton, a result that means the club have won just five Premier League games in 2014.
Pardew played a straight bat when quizzed on his position after the game at St Mary s Stadium, with Hull City boss Bruce one of the names being mentioned as a possible successor should Newcastle owner Mike Ashley decide that change is needed.
But former Sunderland manager Bruce who supported Newcastle as a child growing up in the region insists that such speculation is unwanted.
I find it very disrespectful that I am linked with somebody else s job when he is still in the job, Bruce told BBC Radio 5 live.
I am just concentrating on our game against West Ham on Monday.
Bruce expressed sympathy for Pardew, as he added: I m like any other manager, when I see another manager under huge pressure like Alan is and it was only a few years ago I was in the same sort of situation it isn t nice.
After what happened to me at Sunderland I know how difficult the north east is.
I have only been at Hull a couple of years and they have been really good. They gave me the chance to get up and running again and for that I will always be grateful.
Bruce joined Hull in June 2012 and guided the club into the Premier League before safeguarding their top-flight status last season as well as reaching the FA Cup final.
