STEVE BRUCE is determined to do all he can to persuade Newcastle United’s new owners to retain him in his role – and has “not given up hope” of holding on to the manager’s job on a long-term basis.

Bruce will preside over his 1,000th game in management when Tottenham visit St James’ Park on Sunday, with Amanda Staveley having issued a statement earlier today in which she confirmed there would not be a change of manager before the weekend.

Staveley did not make any assurances beyond that point though, suggesting Sunday’s game could well be Bruce’s final match in charge of his hometown club.

A host of potential candidates have been linked with a possible move to St James’ Park, but while he accepts there is every chance the new regime could decide to bring in their own boss, Bruce will be doing all he can to persuade Staveley, Jamie Reuben and the Saudi Arabian PIF that he deserves a chance to be part of the new dawn.

“I’ll have a crack (at persuading them),” said Bruce. “I’ll try my utmost, and if they see fit (to keep him on), then great. Who wouldn’t want this opportunity now? Any manager would love this opportunity and love to be sitting in my chair. I’ll make a fist of it, try my utmost, and as always, try my best and do what’s best for the club.

“Who wouldn’t want to try? I’m not going to give up the hope of it. Who wouldn’t want this job now, going forward, the way it is and the way it looks in the future? Who wouldn’t want the opportunity to manage Newcastle? Certainly, I would and I’m sure there’s hundreds who would want to do the same thing. It’s exciting times ahead for the club, that’s for sure.”