A source from Newcastle United has suggested that Steve Bruce could leave this summer if the proposed takeover goes through.
The Lowdown: Arbitration awaits
A date has now been set for the pending arbitration case between the Tyneside club and the Premier League over the failed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group.
The arbitration hearing has been set for July on an expedited basis, and Lee Ryder, writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, has shared that some observers of the bid believe that the result of that will come much sooner than the one on the separate anti-competition lawsuit launched against the top flight.
The Latest: Bruce could leave
As per Football Insider, Bruce has been given assurances by chiefs in the North East that he will remain as manager next season, so long as Ashley is still the owner.
However, a source from the Magpies has also claimed that that is dependent on the proposed takeover falling through.
The former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss would then face an uncertain future if it was to be revived, and given that the arbitration case is set for July, if the results of that quickly fall in the favour of the Toon, then it may pave a pathway for its swift resurrection.
The Verdict: Bruce will go if takeover goes through
Given that Bruce is not the man that the proposed new owners would have hired, it is likely that they would look to appoint somebody else as a coach to fit in with their own vision for NUFC.
He was also recently booed by many members of the Toon Army despite their 1-0 home win over Sheffield United, showing that his relationship with the fans is at an all-time low, and perhaps not something that the new owners would want as they build up their project.
Nonetheless, there would certainly be question marks over Bruce’s future if the takeover is completed, whether that would be before or after the new season starts.
In other news, find out whose display was slammed versus the Blades here!