Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has been reportedly involved in a training-ground bust up with player Matt Ritchie.
Sitting three points clear of the Premier League's relegation places, Newcastle United boss Bruce is believed to have been called a "coward" by Ritchie during an explosive bust-up on Tuesday.
Carried out in front of the squad's gathered players, The Times reported that Ritchie resented being blamed by Bruce for not passing on information about a change in formation during Newcastle's recent 1-1 with Wolves.
In the game's aftermath, Bruce publicly remarked upon Ritchie's inability to deliver the message before Wolves scored shortly thereafter. The player reportedly called Bruce later that evening to express his frustrations thereafter.
On Tuesday, as the players returned from a two-day break, it was expected that Steve Bruce and the 31-year-old Ritchie could sort the issue out.
🗣"We should stop the cross, it was a frustration, we will have to concede that one"
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce clears up the confusion during Matt Ritchie's substitution right before they conceded the equaliser pic.twitter.com/t8ykDjBugi— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 27, 2021
However, when assistant manager Steve Agnew informed Ritchie on Tuesday morning that the manager would like to see him in his office, the Scottish international refused, stating that he would not speak to the "coward" again.
Angered by the snub, the former Manchester United captain arrived down to the training ground where he reportedly started "shoulder barging" his player.
Matt Ritchie is not believed to have retaliated.
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Furthermore, after Bruce had seemingly encouraged the Newcastle United managing director Lee Charnley to offer both Ritchie and Jonjo Shelvey new lengthy contracts in February 2020, the 60-year-old is said to have remarked to Ritchie: "After all I've done for you."
So far, Newcastle United have refused to comment on the reported bust-up.
Three points off the relegation places with 12 games remaining, Bruce's side will take on Sam Allardyce's West Bromwich Albion this weekend.
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