Sky Sports - Saudis make first big move ahead of NUFC takeover as plans for Steve Bruce are revealed

According to Sky Sports, Steve Bruce is now set to be given until at least the 'end of the season' to prove he is the right manager to take Newcastle United forward.

They claim that, while Rafa Benitez, Max Allegri and Mauricio Pochettino have all been touted as potential replacements, Bruce will be handed the opportunity to show the Saudi-backed consortium that he's capable of 'guiding the club to European football'.

The report states that the Premier League tests are currently underway as they close in on a £300m deal, but suggests they've already made their first big decision regarding the immediate managerial situation.

Here's a snippet from the Sky Sports' piece released in the last few moments:

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce is set to be given until the end of the season at least to prove he is the right manager to guide the club to European football.

Max Allegri, Mauricio Pochettino and former Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez are among a number of leading names touted as potential replacements for Bruce once the takeover passes the relevant mandatory checks in the coming weeks.

However, those involved in the takeover have not approached a potential new manager and feel Bruce should be given at least until the end of the season to stake his claim.

So, it seems Bruce will 'at least' be given the remaining NINE games of the season to show what he's capable of - however it remains to be seen if these fixtures will even be played, with the COVID-19 crisis threatening to see the 2019/20 campaign deemed null and void.

A polite way of allowing Bruce to finish the job he started last August before replacing him, or are they genuinely wanting to assess his capabilities?

Sadly for Steve Bruce, I think it's the former, but it'd be a far more gracious approach than some new owners have adopted!