Saint-Maximin sends goodbye message to Steve Bruce - "I will never forget how you treated me"

Allan Saint-Maximin has sent a heartfelt message to Steve Bruce following his long-awaited exit earlier today.

The Frenchman arrived at St James' Park just two weeks after Bruce was appointed by Mike Ashley, with him going on to be one of the few bright lights of the 60-year-old's tenure on Tyneside.

Now, following his sacking, Saint-Maximin has thanked his former head coach for being a 'caring' and 'fair' man who 'never hesitated to protect us.'

The 24-year-old has also called him 'one of the most gentle people' he has ever met in football, saying he will always be grateful for the way he was treated.

Here's what he's had to say just a few hours on from Bruce's exit:

'You are, without a doubt, one of the most gentle people that I have ever met in the world of football.

'You have been a man of your word, a caring man and a fair man who never hesitated to protect us.

'I will never forget how you treated me, for that I will be forever grateful

'It has been an honour and a privilege to have you as a coach, thank you Steve.'