Steve Bruce: Hull City manager says Fulham rumours are 'rubbish'

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Steve BruceImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Steve Bruce has not seen his Hull side win in the league since New Year's Day

Hull City manager Steve Bruce has dismissed reports linking him with a move to Championship side Fulham as "rubbish journalism".

Reports had suggested Fulham could offer Bruce a £15m deal, external to take over at Craven Cottage this summer.

But Bruce, 54, said: "The biggest problem I've got with the whole thing is they've got a manager in situ at Fulham [Kit Symons].

"I've got huge respect for Kit, who is new to the job."

The former Wigan and Sunderland boss added: "I can't comment on it because if I comment on it it just fuels it even more, and as far as I'm concerned it's rubbish journalism."

Bruce's position at Hull has been the subject of media scrutiny in the past.

He has been linked with the Newcastle manager's job, while a recent poor run of form that has sent Hull down to 18th in the table has added to speculation over his possible departure.

"I was getting the sack the day before, and then Fulham want me," Bruce said. "Unfortunately, with the media today, I can't do anything about it."

Bruce on upcoming games

Hull's 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Saturday provided a boost after a run of three league defeats, and Bruce says his players must continue to show improvement over the next month if they are to get out of the relegation zone.

The Tigers' next four matches pit them against Aston Villa, QPR, Stoke and Sunderland.

"This cluster of games we have coming up are going to be crucial to us," Bruce said.

"We've got to show the resilience and attitude we had at Liverpool and Arsenal and Manchester City.

"That's where we were very good last year - we beat the teams around us and unfortunately this season we haven't done that, and we have to address it over the next few weeks."

Bruce on Nikica Jelavic

Bruce says Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic has still not yet fully recovered from a knee injury.

"Only Jelavic would have come back playing within five weeks and arguably his attitude in trying to play has set him back a bit," he said.

"We've got to make sure he's 100% fit and healthy and that's the reason I left him out on Saturday because two games in two days is too big an ask for him.

"We've got to get his knee better but he trained very well and he is uppermost in my mind.

"A fit and healthy Jelavic is going to be crucial in the weeks ahead."

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