Thousands of Mackems turned on him in the latter stages of Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Wigan.
Bruce is ready to tender his resignation and chairman Ellis Short has to decide if "enough is enough".
Sunderland suffered their tenth home defeat of the year and (according to the Northern Echo) former chairman Niall Quinn and Short discussed Bruce's position before leaving the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening.
There is also understood to be a growing acceptance that the situation is approaching the point of no return, and former Celtic boss Martin O'Neil is said to be the man they want to turn things around.
Short wrote in his programme notes there was “no reason to panic”, but the American tycoon is sure to have been concerned by the events that unfolded.
Steve Bruce (pictured right with his Toon tattoo): “If I thought that by me going, it would help everybody, then I would consider it.
“But I don't think that at the minute. I just want to try to get it right.
“I'm not the type to just accept defeat or walk away. That's just how I am, I cannot stomach it to be fair. It's my nature to go home, keep my dignity and try to get up on Monday morning, go again and see if we can turn it around.
“Can I turn the relationship (with the supporters) around? I don't know. It's going to be very, very difficult. The criticism borders on abuse. But that's the way it is and I have to accept it. I cannot help where I was born unfortunately.
“Hopefully, it's bottomed out. I don't think it's ever been as bad as that. But all you can do is have a good performance and win a match. Maybe then, people will look at the bigger picture and say, 'Well maybe he hasn't done such a bad job'. That's all I can do.”
However, the first Premier League sacking of the season appears to be edging closer, with Bruce enhancing his candidacy.
Optimism surrounded the Black Cats’ summer business as they signed the likes of John O’Shea, Wes Brown, Sebastian Larsson, Connor Wickham and Nicklas Bendtner, but despite an opening day draw at Anfield, it has been a miserable few months.
However, another negative result next week away to fellow strugglers Wolves would place him in serious peril ... if he lasts that long.
Other bosses under threat include Steve Kean at Blackburn – though he recently signed an improved deal – and Owen Coyle at Bolton. His side have lost ten in 13, and have a tricky trip to Tottenham on the horizon.