Steve Bruce hit out at a reporter who asked him why he was seen smiling with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his Newcastle side lost at Manchester United last weekend.
After the Magpies were beaten 3-1 by Solskjaer's men on Sunday, the two managers were spotted enjoying a laugh together at the full-time whistle while they were walking back to the changing rooms.
Solskjaer and Bruce were team-mates together at Old Trafford but the exchange still angered a number of Newcastle supporters on social media, who accused the boyhood Newcastle fan-turned-manager of not caring enough about the results.
And when Bruce was questioned about it in his pre-match news conference ahead of Saturday's match at home to Wolves, the Magpies manager came out with a furious response.
When the reporter claimed that a number of fans were upset at him smiling with Solskjaer, Bruce said: 'A lot of fans, or is that you?
'Listen, I've know Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for 20 years. If I'm caught smiling with him...
'He was complimenting us on how well we played. So if that's a bad thing that I've smiled with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer then unfortunately ok.'
Bruce has enjoyed a difficult relationship with the media this season and banned the written media from asking questions in a January press conference after he disapproved of criticism towards his side.
On the day he told the media he would not be accepting questions from them, Newcastle had gone ten matches without a win and looked set to be drawn into the relegation battle.
The Magpies have now lost three out of their last four games to now sit three points ahead of 18th-placed Fulham in the relegation zone, with the Cottagers having a better goal difference and form than Bruce's side.
Defeat at Old Trafford extended Newcastle's run to just two wins in their last 14 matches and the Magpies fans were displeased to see their manager with a joyous expression after the game.
'Good to see you're smiling Steve. We're not,' was one complaint while another questioned whether boyhood Geordie fan Bruce 'hurts as much as we do'.
Newcastle know that victory over Wolves on Saturday could take them six points clear of the drop and above relegation rivals Burnley for a few hours at least, while Fulham take on Crystal Palace in Sunday's early kick-off.
Michaelworks
225
let the old pals catch up. When they both retire, football won't be retired. What they'll have is memories of these moments. We won't be there for them when age brings loneliness to them. some of them are now down with dementia, what sort of support have we the fans and media given to them? If you say we do, is it enough? Let the folks have their moment. Or you all just enjoy it when they're at each other's neck, like Mourinho and Pep? Please.