Steve Bruce has left Hull
City by mutual consent after four seasons in charge of the Premier League club. According to Sky sources,
Friday afternoon Bruce had departed with
immediate effect and Hull confirmed the news in a statement that evening.
The 55-year-old, who
missed out to Sam Allardyce this week after interviewing for the England job,
guided Hull to the Premier League for the second time last season.
However, Bruce was
reportedly concerned about the lack of investment in new players this
summer - a consequence of takeover talks, which have
now been placed on hold so Hull can strengthen ahead of the new campaign.
The Hull statement read:
"Following four incredible seasons with the Tigers, including two
promotions and our first ever FA Cup final, we can confirm that manager Steve
Bruce has left the Club by mutual consent.
"The Board of
Directors would like to thank Steve for all his efforts since his appointment
in 2012, culminating in a glorious day at Wembley in May which saw the Club
bounce back into the Premier League (by winning the Championship play-off
final).
"Steve has excelled
in his role - both on and off the field - and will be remembered for being the
most successful manager in our history to date.
"Steve wishes the
club and the owners all the very best for the forthcoming Premier League
season. Steve also wishes to place on record his thanks to the club's
supporters for their unwavering support and also to all the players and staff
who have worked with him during his time at the KCOM Stadium.
"Mike Phelan will
step in to the role of caretaker manager until a permanent appointment is made
for the upcoming campaign."
At the start of June Bruce was
reported to have been considering his future, amid speculation
the club could be the subject of a takeover bid.
Hull have been up for
sale since 2014, after the Football Association rejected owner Assem Allam's
application to change the club's name to Hull Tigers.
And Bruce also held talks
with Football Association over the vacant England
manager's job earlier this month and described it as the "prime job"
for an English coach but the FA ultimately
decided to appoint Allardyce.
Hull reached the 2014 FA
Cup final under Bruce, losing an exciting match 3-2 to Arsenal, and the manager
has guided them back into the Premier League for the 2016-17 season, thanks to
their 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the Sky
Bet Championship play-off final.
But Bruce has now
departed, and Sky Sports News HQ reporter Tim Thornton said: "So
close to the new season, it leaves Hull in a really difficult position given
the fact that they have such a threadbare squad and so many injury problems.
"They do need to
strengthen very, very quickly.
"On Wednesday, Assem
Allam made the point he didn't want to bring players in who were Steve Bruce
players if he was then going to have to replace Steve Bruce.
"There is a positive
there because he has not brought Bruce's signings in and any money that is now
invested in players will be for the new manager."
Some of Bruce's players
have said farewell to their manager on social media, midfielder Tom Huddlestone
writing on Twitter: "Never good to lose a manager, especially one who has
signed you and done so well for the club. Wish him all the best for the
future."
Jake Livermore posted a
photograph of himself and Bruce on his Instagram account, with the message:
"Great manager. Great man, will be missed. Thank you."
Bruce's son, Hull
defender Alex, received farewell messages for his father from a host of
well-wishers on his Twitter account and responded: "Thanks for all
the nice messages, I'll pass them on."
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