Steve Bruce insists his Newcastle players cannot be distracted by ongoing takeover talks.
American businessman Henry Mauriss has reportedly launched a £350million bid to buy the Magpies.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is led by crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, have been linked with a £300m takeover for months.
However, it has been thrown into doubt after a damning report from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled the country helped breach international piracy laws.
Bruce, whose Newcastle side restart their Premier League campaign against Sheffield United on Sunday, is only focusing on winning football matches.
He told talkSPORT: “I can’t influence what’s happening above me in the takeover.
“All I can do – like the job I have done since walking through the door 12 months ago – is to take the club forward and make sure we keep established.
“It was difficult, don’t get me wrong, with only three weeks preparation but we’ve done OK so far. It’s important we keep that.
“We don’t let this takeover distract anybody. Our job is to win the match on a Saturday and on a Tuesday.
“We’re all desperate to get it started again and let things happen above us which I can’t influence.
“I can influence what we do today in training and pick a team for the match on Sunday.
“That’s all I’m really focused on at the minute – how can we finish the season, how can we finish the season strong enough and finish in a good position.”
Newcastle are in 13th place and eight points above the relegation zone with nine games to go.
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