Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce says owner Mike Ashley has not been in touch to talk about a win-less start to the season.
However, he stated he continues to have a running dialogue with managing director Lee Charnley, despite a stormy end to the transfer window.
Asked if Ashley had been in touch, Bruce said: "I never have dialogue with the owner.
"My dialogue and my remit is to deal with Lee and that's what I do in the running of the club, of the day to day business, and that's the way it is.
"There's nothing new in that."
He added: "I've had flak since I walked through the door.
"Unfortunately, it's something we all (managers) have to deal with."
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