Bruce leaves role as Newcastle manager
Steve Bruce has left his position as Newcastle United manager by mutual consent, the Premier League team said in a statement yesterday, two weeks after they were taken over by a Saudi Arabianbacked consortium.
Bruce had appeared to be on borrowed time after the Premier League announced earlier this month that Newcastle had been sold to a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The 60-year-old had said following the change of ownership that he would understand if he was replaced but he was allowed to take charge of the 1,000th match in his managerial career when Newcastle hosted Tottenham Hotspur in the league, losing 3-2 last Sunday.
The signs were ominous, however, with Newcastle’s new director Amanda Staveley saying “change does not always happen overnight”.
“I’m grateful to everyone connected with Newcastle United for the opportunity to manage this unique football club,” Bruce said in a club statement.