Graeme Souness has described calls to replace Steve Bruce as manager of Newcastle United 'disrespectful'.

Speculation has been building over his future since talk of a potential takeover started earlier this season, with suggestions that the club could look to replace him as boss.

As it stands, the club are waiting for approval from the Premier League for the £300million takeover proposed by Amanda Staveley and the Saudi-backed consortium.

Should that deal go through, Newcastle United would become one of the richest clubs in the top flight.

New owners are likely to come with their own ideas of who should lead the team, but according to the former Newcastle United manager, the Magpies should stick with Bruce after a positive first season in charge.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Souness said: “First of all, Steve Bruce has done a good job.

“A large percentage of supporters didn’t want him there because of his connections with Sunderland, but I think he’s got the most out of that group of players.

“It’s not respectable for people to want (Mauricio) Pochettino or whoever to come in and replace.

“I think, to be fair to him, when a new man, a new organisation or in this case a new country comes along to invest big amounts of money – why can’t Steve have a go at spending some of that?

“He knows his way around the Premier League, he’s English, he knows the north east, he’s a Geordie and I think it’s disrespectful to talk about him the way that some people are.

“I think he deserves a chance, and that’s my belief.”

GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...

You can't argue with the job that Steve Bruce has done this term.

While he wasn't a popular choice for the Newcastle United job, he inherited a poor squad which was tipped as a contender to be relegated this term.

In reality, he's taken the club to the cusp of safety with a quarter of the season left.

Of course Newcastle fans want to be aiming higher than survival, but the club are firmly on track to challenge for a top 10 spot.

If Bruce can do that, I think that he deserves the chance to continue what he's started.