Steve Bruce has openly discussed the 'hurt' of the 'very personal' criticism he suffered as Newcastle manager.
The former Magpies boss suffered vitriolic abuse while at St James' Park and was quickly replaced by Eddie Howe once the new Saudi regime was installed.
And Bruce told FourFourTwo that some of the ridicule and mockery 'crossed a line', having claimed fans had called him a 'tactically inept cabbage head'.
He said: 'I was under no illusions whatsoever when I arrived at Newcastle. I was becoming part of an unpopular regime and knew I'd be associated with Mike Ashley from day one.