Hull City boss Steve Bruce claims it is “disrespectful” to be linked with the Newcastle United manager’s position while Alan Pardew remains in the position.

The pressure on Pardew has intensified following Saturday’s 4-0 battering at Southampton which leaves the Magpies stuck at the bottom of the table after a run of two points from a possible 12 which followed on from a poor second half to last season.

It has resulted in speculation linking Bruce with a return to the North-East, where he was born and raised as a Newcastle fan and has since had a two-and-a-half year stint in charge of their local rivals Sunderland before being axed in November 2011.

But the 53-year-old was quick to speak out and play down the reports and said on BBC Radio 5 live: “I find it very disrespectful that I am linked with somebody else’s job when he is still in the job.”

Bruce has enjoyed a successful spell at the KC Stadium as he guided the Tigers to automatic promotion to the Premier League in his first season in charge in 2012-13, before keeping the side in the top flight and guiding them to the FA Cup final last term.

He added: “After what happened to me at Sunderland I know how difficult the north east is.

“I have only been at Hull a couple of years and they have been really good. They gave me the chance to get up and running again and for that I will always be grateful.”

Bruce revealed his main focus is Hull’s Premier League home clash against West Ham on Monday with the Tigers 2.13 to win, the Hammers can be backed at 3.62 and the draw is 3.29.